Jockey mistakenly targeted by Twitter troll while injured set for return

Paddy Bradley, the jockey abused on Twitter for a losing ride despite being on the sidelines with a broken wrist, is set to make his comeback from injury at Newbury on Thursday.

Subject to medical clearance from the BHA, Bradley will partner Our Lord for trainer Michael Attwater in the opening apprentice handicap at 5.55, having recovered from a broken wrist sustained while riding a juvenile at home for boss Pat Phelan in Epsom.

Bradley, who was a winner at Lingfield on Good Friday earlier in the year, suffered abuse on social media in April after a punter did not realise he had been replaced on an intended mount at Ripon due to his injury.

"If he'd actually been paying attention he'd have seen there was a jockey change, but he didn't even know what he was putting his money on," said Bradley at the time.

Paddy Bradley rode Forceful Appeal to victory at Lingfield on Good FridayCredit: Mark Cranham

Looking back at the incident in advance of his comeback, Bradley admitted he was surprised by the reaction to the story, which contributed to a wider debate about abuse of jockeys on social media.

"That story went a long way, a lot of people saw it," he said on Wednesday. "I haven't heard so many stories about jockeys getting abused since then, so maybe it did a lot of good, you never know."

Bradley, who claims 3lb, has ridden three winners from 38 rides in 2017.