Champion returns eyeing successful all-weather title defence

Luke Morris returns to race-riding on Friday less than three weeks after breaking his collarbone in a fall at Chelmsford and has his sights on another all-weather jockeys' title this winter.

"There's been only two or three weeks of the all-weather so far, so I'm pleased to be back so soon," he said.

"It was a pretty uncomplicated break so I set myself a target of three weeks to get back. It's healed well and I've been riding out the last week, so I'm ready to go."

Morris starts his all-weather season just eight winners behind title pace-setter Graham Gibbons, but is keen to make up the ground as soon as he can. He has nine rides booked between Lingfield and Wolverhampton on Friday.

"My agent's been busy getting me loads of rides this Friday and Saturday, just to get some momentum going for the season," he said. "It would be great to be in a position to challenge for the championship again, and that's the aim."

The three-time all-weather champion jockey begins his campaign having enjoyed arguably his best season on the turf, having partnered Marsha to success in the Prix de l'Abbaye and Prince Of Lir in the Norfolk Stakes.

"Numerically, I think I did about as well on the turf as in the last couple of years, but obviously it was great to ride a Group 1 winner and get a winner at Royal Ascot," said Morris.

"It was nice to finish so high up in the championship again, too. That's the third time I've been fifth. People sometimes just think of me as a jockey for the all-weather, so it's good to be able to do it consistently on the turf."