Berry returns after four months on the sidelines

Fran Berry declared himself as ready as he can be in preparation for his return to action after a longer than expected spell on the sidelines.

He has two rides at Lingfield on Tuesday, the course he suffered a seemingly minor foot injury in a stalls incident last October that has kept him out of action since.

"I'm very much looking forward to it. It's been a while and it's good to get back into the swing of things," said Berry, who broke a metatarsal bone in his left foot.

"It was a bit of a shock when the specialist said it will be four months but he was bang on.

"I've been riding out for ten days, since last Friday week, and the foot feels good. I'm as ready as I can be."

Berry has two mounts for Alan Bailey, Frangarry in the 5f handicap and Widnes in the 7f maiden.

"Alan has been very good to me since I moved over [from Ireland] and it's nice of him to give me a couple of rides to get me going," he added.

"I've ridden Frangarry before and he was a winner at Windsor last year. He hasn't run for a while but on his day is definitely competitive off his mark.

"Widnes is rated 69 and has plenty of experience for a maiden. He looks like he'll be in with a shout."

Berry, who missed part of last summer with a back injury, is in his second season as stable jockey to Ralph Beckett.

Outlining his hopes for 2017, he said: "I'm hopeful for Sound Bar, he's a half-brother to Carntop who won a mile maiden at Newbury and he could be an interesting prospect for the trials, but I just hope to have a clear run this year and to be able to ride."

Lingfield Tuesday card