Dowling eyes weekend return after recovering from Newbury spill

Tommy Dowling, the conditional jockey who feared a lengthy spell on the sidelines after being injured in a fall at Newbury at the end of March, is in line to return to action at Fontwell on Friday or Uttoxeter on Saturday.

Dowling was initially facing up to a prolonged absence after breaking bones in his back when Bold Runner suffered a heart attack in a handicap hurdle at Newbury, but a second assessment revealed the fractures were from an old injury.

The rider, who had eight winners in the 2016-17 campaign, is hoping for a clearer run of things after spending four months out following a horror fall at Fontwell last year.

"I've got the good news and will be back to ride on either Friday or on Saturday," said Dowling, who praised the staff at Oaksey House in Lambourn for their support during his layoff.

"Looking forward to getting back is one way of describing it - Jesus, I can't wait. I'm pretty anxious to get back and everyone who I ride for has their horses in great form.

"Tom Symonds couldn't be going any better, Henry Oliver's the same, while Charlie Mann had a winner at Kempton on Monday. I'll just try to get back on a few of them and touch wood I can get through a full season - I haven't yet - but fingers crossed it'll happen this season."