'It's amazing what the body can do' - Phil Dennis set for quick return to action

Phil Dennis is set to return to action at Ayr on Monday, less than four weeks after taking a crashing fall at the same course.

The Flat jockey fractured ribs and suffered an ankle injury when unseated in a seven-furlong handicap and was kept in hospital for treatment on a deflating lung.

After passing a fitness test at Jack Berry House on Friday and getting the all-clear from a chest x-ray, he said: "It's just improved so much, it's amazing what the body can do.

"I thought it would be a minimum of six weeks. Jerry Hill at the BHA and Jack Berry House have been very good and worked together to get it pushed on. They know how keen I am to get back."

Fears that Dennis had broken his ankle proved unfounded, despite a misleading scan.

"I had a puncture wound and they thought a fracture had caused it, so they went to operate, but when they got in there it was an old fracture that had been showing on the x-ray," he said.

"I wouldn't have a clue when I did that but all I was left with was a fat ankle for a couple of weeks."

Dennis started riding out on Thursday and said: "It was strange. Though it had only been three weeks from when I last rode, it felt as though I'd never ridden before. But today was spot on and I'll gradually build back up."

The jockey is particularly looking forward to getting back on progressive sprinter Pearl Of Qatar in the 6f handicap at Ayr on Monday.

Phil Dennis is looking forward to getting back on Pearl Of Qatar, who he won on just a couple of ours before his fallCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"I've won three on her this year and I won on her the night I got hurt," he said. "I saw she was in and I had it in my head it would be nice to get back for her because she's had a progressive year.

"I'm not a very good spectator when I'm sat on the sofa watching them, so that drove me on to get back a bit sooner."

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