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Jason Watson back in business after injury with two rides at Lingfield

Jason Watson: back in action at Lingfield
Jason Watson: back in action at LingfieldCredit: Edward Whitaker

Last year's champion apprentice Jason Watson makes a low-profile return from two and a half months out with two rides at Lingfield on Friday.

Formerly attached to Andrew Balding, Watson had not long been appointed stable jockey to Roger Charlton when he sustained two hairline neck fractures in a fall at Kempton on January 4. His mount, Teresita Alvarez, clipped heels soon after the start of a mile handicap.

Watson, who has pretensions of challenging for the senior jockeys' title this year after riding 111 winners in 2018, has been back riding out at Charlton's yard for the past three weeks and is looking forward to getting his 2019 campaign back on track.

The Brighton-born rider returns on the Amanda Perrett-trained Azets in the opening mile handicap (2.10) and later rides Not After Hours for David Menuisier in the featured 1m4f handicap (3.50).

The 18-year-old said: "My recovery has been good and I've had no hold ups. I've been to Oaksey House in Lambourn, which has been excellent, where I've had physiotherapy and hydrotherapy to get me back in shape.

"I was in the gym a week after my accident and have been riding out for Mr Charlton for the past three weeks."

On his return to race-riding, he added: "My agent Tony Hind and myself have had this date in mind for my return for some time and I can't wait to get going.

"It wasn't ideal to be out as I have been, but it's a great time to be back with the Flat season just around the corner."

Ladbrokes have Watson priced at 12-1 to become champion rider, with Silvestre de Sousa an 8-11 favourite to claim a third successive Stobart jockey's title.

Frankie travels down to Lingfield for Travel On

All three of Frankie Dettori's domestic rides this year have been winners at Lingfield and he looks to keep that run going when he returns to the Surrey circuit for two mounts.

He will sport the George Strawbridge silks, he carried to win the Winter Derby on Wissahickon, aboard Travel On for boss John Gosden in the Ladbrokes Novice Stakes (4.20).

On the last of his three outings as a juvenile last year, Travel On looked like a colt who would benefit from this step up in trip.

Wissahickon: winner of the Winter Derby earlier this year
Wissahickon: winner of the Winter Derby earlier this yearCredit: Mark Cranham

Gosden said: "Travel On shapes as if this trip should suit him and this looks a nice starting point."

An Investec Derby entry, Travel On led everywhere bar the line when runner-up to The Olympian over a mile and a quarter at Newmarket in October and looks sure to take plenty of beating.

Fehily farewell tour reaches Newbury

Noel Fehily spends his penultimate day in the saddle at Newbury, where will retire on Saturday. He has two rides on Friday's card including the promising Green Dolphin in the Listed bumper (5.05) for Harry Fry.

Noel Fehily: two rides at Newbury on Friday
Noel Fehily: two rides at Newbury on FridayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Since announcing his retirement plans last week at Cheltenham, the 43-year-old has been on something of a farewell tour, which has taken in Uttoxeter, Plumpton, Huntingdon, Haydock and Ludlow.

Last time out Fehily steered Green Dolphin to a convincing triumph at Wincanton, and the five-year-old receives no penalty for that 11-length success.

Earlier on Newbury's card, Fehily rides another recent winner with Goodnitesweetheart in division two of the Irvin Mitchell Private Wealth Handicap Hurdle (3.25).

A short-head scorer at Taunton last time, the eight-year-old is up 7lb for her encounter against 16 rivals over three miles.

Fitzpatrick finds no holes in chances of Dundalk specialists

William Fitzpatrick does not have a huge amount of firepower in his stable but through Dandys Gold and Crossingoz he has enjoyed a fruitful spell at Dundalk.

Dandys Gold is first up in the 6f handicap (6.15). It was under a year ago when Fitzpatrick and his owner George Halford took her to the sales but the offers were not enough for the pair to part with the daughter Dandy Man.

Dandys Gold: looking to complete a hat-trick at Dundalk
Dandys Gold: looking to complete a hat-trick at DundalkCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Now chasing her third win on the bounce and sixth win in total, Dandys Gold is reported in rude health by Fitzpatrick, who said: "She's got good and strong and should be well capable of winning."

An hour later, he will be hoping to complete a double with Crossingoz, who was a winner at the track last time.

He added: "The mile suits her and she's a very genuine horse. Our horses seem to be running well at the minute and they both have chances."


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David MilnesNewmarket correspondent

Published on 21 March 2019inPreviews

Last updated 17:08, 22 March 2019

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