Hayley Turner's charmed career suffered an alarming setback yesterday when she was knocked unconscious on the Newmarket gallops. Turner, a golden asset of British racing, was detained in Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge last night with head injuries, her parents at her side.

Turner was conducting a stalls test on Old Sarum for Phil McEntee, the trainer, when her mount charged from the gates and fired her into the turf. Onlookers described blood pouring from her mouth and nose when she came round and it is believed that she passed out a second time in the ambulance.

McEntee, whose horse died after breaking a shoulder in the incident, said of Turner: “When you see someone in that state, it's not very nice but, fortunately, there were some Darley head lads around and they jumped into action while my wife called the ambulance.”

Late yesterday, Turner underwent CT scans and the hospital indicated that she would be kept under observation overnight. Guy Jewell, her agent, said: “Her friend Amy Weaver, who trains nearby, has been with her and tells me Hayley looks like she's done eight rounds with Joe Calzaghe.

“She's sat up and talking and can remember plenty - though it must have been some impact, as she's still pretty groggy eight hours later. Her mother and father have driven down from Nottinghamshire to be with her at the hospital.”

Barely two months ago, Turner became the first woman to ride 100 winners in a calendar year in Britain. Her deeds have made her a celebrity and she was among three nominees for Sportswoman of the Year.

After such serious concussion, a mandatory period away from race-riding is routinely imposed. Turner had been looking forward to the start of the turf Flat season on March 28, but her participation that soon must be in doubt.

Turner's misfortune diverted attention from the Cheltenham build-up, in which changeable weather is playing an increasing role. Appropriately, the valuable Devon National yesterday was won by Teeming Rain, conditions that simultaneously applied at a Festival course that had been lightly watered only the previous day.

Philip Hobbs is among the trainers to speak out against watering, not least because many of his team for next week would prosper on quicker ground. No trainer is approaching the Festival in better form than Hobbs, yet his challenge has largely slipped under the radar this year.

“We didn't have a winner there last year and it's very important to us,” he said. “We don't have any favourites but I feel we've got a good number of decent each-way chances and I'll be very disappointed if we don't at least pick up a lot of place money.”

Snap Tie, Massini's Maguire, Copper Bleu and Ballydub all fall into that category but Hobbs believes his best chance of a winner lies with Planet Of Sound in the Arkle Trophy. “I don't think the race is quite as strong as most years and he's got the right profile - plenty of speed but capable of staying 2 miles,” he said.

Fair Along would be a popular winner of the Ladbroke World Hurdle after being placed in the Triumph, Arkle and Champion Chase at the last three Festivals. “Realistically, he won't beat Kasbah Bliss or probably Punchestowns,” Hobbs said. “But on good ground, he'd have a chance.”

Zacinto, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, will miss the 2,000 Guineas after suffering a setback. He was a general 16-1 for the classic.