'He’s feeling good and is rip-roaring and ready to go' - Nicky Henderson provides positive injury update on Nico de Boinville

Nicky Henderson has provided a positive update on stable jockey Nico de Boinville, who has been out of action since suffering a nasty fall at Plumpton in April.

De Boinville has been on the sidelines since suffering broken ribs and neck injuries after being kicked when falling from As The Fella Says on April 21.

The jockey was forced to wear a brace for a number of months due to a C7 fracture in his neck, but Henderson said his number-one rider is “through the worst of it” after an extended period of rehabilitation.

Speaking to the Racing Post, Henderson said: "It’s terrific news. He called in to see us on Monday and looks good. He’s feeling good and he’s rip-roaring and ready to go. 

"Everyone is delighted. I can understand it was very boring to start with, but he’s worn it well and is through the worst of it, which is the main thing."

Nicky Henderson: "He’s worn it well and is through the worst of it, which is the main thing"Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Henderson added: "He’s got about six weeks more to go, which is a bit like the same time as the horses we have coming back in. We won’t have anything properly until September 1 so we’ll get help from elsewhere for a while

"He’s got to get fit and ready to go, but everything is under control. There’s very little that will happen here between now and then."

As a result of De Boinville’s injuries, Henderson was forced to turn elsewhere for the remainder of last season regarding jockey bookings, with James Bowen the recipient for the majority of the Seven Barrows runners. 

Although Bowen was unable to help Constitution Hill return to winning ways in the Boodles Champion Hurdle at the Punchestown festival, he was able to score Grade 1 success on Lulamba in the Champion Four Year Old Hurdle at the same meeting.

Lulamba and James Bowen (right) won the Grade 1 Champion Four-Year-Old Hurdle at the Punchestown festivalCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Henderson is hoping to have De Boinville back available in September and is excited to see him return to the team.

Speaking in his Unibet blog, he said: "I’m pleased he’s recovering very well and has just started the process of rehabilitation, whereby he’s free of all neck braces and things like that, so is now able to fully begin his route to getting back in the saddle.

"He can now go full-on fitness-wise, and if all goes well, which it should, he’ll be back on a horse in a few weeks. 

"He hasn’t set a date for his return, because there is obviously no need to rush back for anything, but he’s hoping to be ready at some stage in September, which is all very good news."

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