Russell Edging Closer To Racecourse Return

Leading Irish rider Davy Russell is hoping to be back on a racecourse in the coming weeks as he steps up his recovery from the serious injuries he suffered in a fall in October.

The dual Grand National winning rider suffered a horrible injury back in October when dislocating and fracturing vertebrae when falling at the first fence in the Munster National aboard The Charles Byrnes trained Doctor Duffy.

That fall has seen him off the track for over two months now, with the multiple times Irish Champion Jockey damaging his C6 and C7 vertebrae and dislocated his T1 meaning it was always going to be a lengthy recovery period.

However, the rider can now see light at the end of the tunnel and can start planning for his return as he will be able to get back to work riding fairly soon and then in the coming months can return to a racing, with the Cheltenham festival a big target to be back for.

(Credit ATR) He said: “It won’t happen this week now, but I’m hoping to be back on a horse next week.

“I’ve all the gear off now. It was hard work and uncomfortable, but that’s the way it is.

“Hopefully I’ll pop up to Gordon’s (Elliott) next week and we’ll see how we go.

“We’re a long way away from that (returning to race-riding). It (the injury) is working fine on the ground, but it has to be working properly on a horse before we look too far ahead.”