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'I never thought I wouldn't make it back' - Russell raring to go at Downpatrick

Davy Russell, leading rider at the festival.Cheltenham Festival.Photo: Patrick McCann 16.03.2018
Davy Russell: back in the saddle with two rides at Downpatrick on FridayCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Davy Russell, the eighth most successful jump jockey of all time, says he is ready to rock and roll and really looking forward to his eagerly awaited comeback from a career-threatening injury at Downpatrick on Friday with two rides for Gordon Elliott.

The 42-year-old has ridden 1,502 winners in a stellar 26-year career, just 87 winners shy of Paul Carberry in seventh, but it looked like that might be his final tally following a fall from Doctor Duffy in the Munster National at Limerick that has kept him out of action since October.

Russell suffered horrific injuries to his vertebrae and the recovery process included having bolts drilled into his head as well as a weight hanging off his head to ensure the T1 vertebra went back into place.

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Deputy Ireland editor

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