TWO jockeys were hurt in falls and a spectator collapsed in a toilet during a North Yorkshire horse race.

The incidents marred what was otherwise hailed as a glorious return for the York & Ainsty Point-to-Point race.

Organisers today said the victims' injuries posed no threat to the fixture's future.

The incidents happened as the race got under way for the first time in four years at Rising Sun Farm, near Easingwold, on Saturday.

Jockey Heather Binks suffered severe bruising to her leg when she fell from her horse at the first fence in the Eight Years and Over Maiden Race.

A few minutes later, in the same race, Scarborough entrant Michael Morley also fell from his horse and needed to have the top of his thumb amputated.

Almost simultaneously, an elderly spectator, who has not been named, collapsed in a temporary toilet block. Despite fears that the man had suffered a heart attack, it was revealed he had only fainted - and there was more good news when one of his horses had a win as he received treatment.

The day's programme of racing was held up for an hour as paramedics got the casualties to hospital.

It is believed Miss Binks was due to leave hospital today, while Mr Morley remains under observation.

Jeff Gill, chairman of the York & Ainsty Point-to-Point Committee, said: "We had hundreds of people, and great wins, some of them very close. This was the first time the race has been held in four years, because of foot and mouth last year, and bad weather for the three years before that."

Phil Clark, clerk of the course, said: "I have to say, considering we had a record entry of 78 horses and nine good races, that two mishaps, with no injuries to the horses, are not cause for us to worry about the fixture. We're calling it a great success."

Updated: 11:03 Monday, April 29, 2002