Leading rider Harry Cobden is set to return to the racecourse on Friday having been off the track since April when taking a nasty fall at the Grand National meeting at Aintree.
The multiple Grade One winning rider has not been seen since his heavy fall in the Mersey Novices' Hurdle at Aintree aboard the Paul Nicholls trained Lucky One, where he suffered fractured cheekbones and missed out on his Grand National ride.
Cobden will have his first rides for eight and a half weeks on Friday evening at Newton Abbot, with two rides for his retained trainer Paul Nicholls, who he had his best season to date with last term although finishing the season early.
The young rider will ride Stanley Stanley in the 6.35 before riding Getaway Trump in the £22,500 feature handicap chase at 7.10 and he is hoping to get back in the winners enclosure as soon as possible.
(Credit Racing Post) "All's well and I'm back to full fitness. It's taken a bit longer than I thought to get back, but I wouldn't have had many rides anyway," he said on Tuesday.
CLAN DES OBEAUX returned to winning ways EMPHATICALLY at Aintree last time out and he's well fancied in the Punchestown Gold Cup today 🏆
— The Winners Enclosure (@TWEnclosure) April 28, 2021
🤔 Can he shock the Irish on away turf?!
🎬 @RacingTV pic.twitter.com/l9Z2VM2SLo
"I've been waiting on an eye test but I managed to get the paperwork done and hopefully that'll be sorted today.
"I'm excited to be back. Last year was fantastic and it was a shame the season ended the way it did, but I've had a nice break and I'm really looking forward to doing what I know best again."
Cobden was right in the hunt for the jockeys title as his season came to end landing 123 winners throughout the term, including Group One wins with Monmiral and Clan Des Obeaux on the first day of the National meeting.
Cobden added: "I've given the other boys a head start, but if I can get the ball rolling through the summer and have a few winners, I'll definitely have another go at it.
"If I get in a position near Harry [Skelton] and Brian [Hughes] I'd go all out, but for now it's all about getting it right and not letting any races get away from you."