Sky Sports Racing’s ambassador prepares for her first rides back at Southwell on Saturday and previews the key contests from Keeneland at the Breeders' Cup on Saturday. It's been a long, difficult road, but I'm finally back in the saddle at Southwell on Saturday, five months after breaking my left leg in a horrible fall at Bath. I comfortably passed my mandatory 'return to riding' test in midweek which clears me to take eight rides on the All-Weather.
There are so many people to thank for helping my recovery, in particular the Injured Jockeys Fund. Rob Treviss and Joe Baker at Oaksey House in Lambourn and my physiotherapist Daloni Lucas have all been amazing. I've been working with those guys five days a week since I left hospital a few weeks after my fall and, in my mind, always aimed for an early November comeback, so I'm delighted to be on track and feeling good.
Injuries are part and parcel of being a jockey and I've had plenty but none that has kept me out of action for this long. I'm just grateful that such a bad injury has allowed me another chance to do what I love. For now, I aim to concentrate on building up my race-riding fitness on the All-Weather before finalising my plans for the winter, but I'm hopeful I will be riding overseas at some stage.
It would be amazing to come back with a winner at Southwell on Saturday night and Simon Crisford's Always Sunny looks my best chance in the All-Weather Trials Day - Lingfield 2nd Jan 2027 Fillies' Novice Stakes (5.40). She showed a lot of promise on debut at Newcastle, finishing a close second to the odds-on favourite despite being badly hampered by a loose horse. I'm also hoping for a big run from Ralph Beckett's classy filly Chantilly Lace in the feature race, the Midnite Ain't Your Grandad's Bookie Handicap (6.15). I rode work on this lovely big filly last week and expect her to appreciate the drop in grade on a surface she should enjoy.
I also sat on Ralph's Drum Bay last week and got a nice enough feel off him to suggest he will go well in the All-Weather Championship Is Back Nursery Handicap (5.05) after being gelded, though he has Godolphin's 92-rated National Honour to beat. My first ride back is Oxford Circus in the first division of the ARC All Weather Bonus Is Back Handicap (4.00). James Owen's ex-Irish gelding showed promise at Brighton recently and will hopefully sharpen up for the fitting of a visor in an open race.
In the second division (4.35), I'm on Mike Murphy's reliable filly Desert Charm who is so consistent and is drawn well in stall one after beating all but the favourite in a Yarmouth handicap earlier this month. I ride again for James Owen in the AWC Finals Day At Newcastle 26th March EBF 'Confined' Restricted Maiden Stakes (6.50). Al Alami showed promise over seven-furlongs at Kempton on debut when racing up with the pace so should enjoy stepping back a furlong.
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