• Teenager survives after hitting final fence at Wincanton • ‘I’ve never seen anything like it,’ says clerk of course

It is fair to say Lewis Ferguson will not forget his fifth professional ride in a hurry.

The 18-year-old amateur jockey for Paul Nicholls Racing was riding the 4-7 favourite, Merrion Square, in the 4.20 John Dufosee Memorial Open Hunters’ Chase at Wincanton and everything seemed to be going to plan as he approached the last fence in the lead. Then, as they were about to reach the jump, the horse appeared to change direction at the last moment, throwing Ferguson out of the saddle.

He then fell into the fence and flipped over twice, before landing on his back further down the course. Officials began to get the screens out, anticipating Ferguson would require medical assistance, but remarkably he got to his feet and walked away unscathed. Coombe Hill won at 4-1 for the trainer and former jockey Chris Honour.

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Wincanton’s clerk of the course, Barry Johnson, said it was “the worst fall I’ve ever seen”. He added: “Lewis is absolutely fine, unbelievably. “He walked into the parade ring and was chatting away as if nothing had happened, calm as you like.

“It was amazing. I’ve never seen anything like it. It was certainly the worst fall I’ve seen and I’m just glad he’s all right because I feared the worst.”

Ferguson has yet to post any messages on his Twitter account since the fall but his biography says he is an “amatuer jockey for Paul Nichols Racing, 18, Pain is temperory! Victory is forever!”