Bandit Barker breaks bones in his hand

In his first meeting, the Tyne-Tweed Challenge Trophy first leg, at Shielfield on Saturday, he romped to three impressive wins in his first three races.

But in his fourth, heat 13, he was beaten out of the gate by Newcastle’s Steve Worrall.

He gave chase and was about to pass him off the third and fourth bend on the second lap when he took a heavy tumble.

He received trackside treatment from paramedics and was taken from the track by ambulance.

He sustained suspected shoulder and wrist injuries and was taken to hospital for further examination where it was revealed he had ‘a complicated fracture of bones in the heel of his left hand.’

A club statement issued on Sunday said: “Surgeons have said that it will take three to four weeks to recover, but Ben hopes to improve on that and return to track as quickly as possible.”

Bandits won the first leg of the Tyne-Tweed Trophy 52-38, but the second leg at Brough Park on Sunday was postponed because of the weather.