'It's going better than expected' - Coleman on mend as he eyes Chepstow return

Many reckon the core jumps season begins with Chepstow's October meeting, and top-flight rider Aidan Coleman is hoping to be part of it as he recovers from a broken arm.

Coleman, who won the Arkle at Cheltenham in March on Put The Kettle On and has built up a fine relationship with star staying hurdler Paisley Park, was injured at Southwell in July, but is delighted with how things are now healing.

He paid tribute to the staff and facilities at the jockey rehabilitation centre Oaksey House in Lambourn, and said: "It's a great spot there, unbelievable, and we'd be lost without it.

"I'm looking to come back mid-October and Chepstow races on October 9 and 10, which could be a possibility.

Chepstow: the jumps season starts in earnest with the two-day meeting next monthCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I'm working very hard towards that, but if it isn't that weekend, the week after. I'll see how I progress in the next couple of weeks, but things are probably going better than expected from the original diagnosis."

Cardiff-based specialist Geoff Graham is often the first port of call for jockeys with arm or shoulder problems, and Coleman added: "I saw Geoff on Monday and he was very happy with how it was progressing. I'm nearly ahead of schedule and that's probably due to Oaksey House.

"I started going there two weeks after the injury and the last month going for two hours each morning for physio and in the gym, Monday to Friday."

The 32-year-old Coleman, a regular in the top ten among jump jockeys, rode his landmark 1,000th winner in June last year, two and a half months after enjoying arguably the finest moment of his career when Paisley Park landed the Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

More to read:

Aidan Coleman rides 1,000th winner and promptly sets sight on doubling it

Paisley Park: what makes Emma Lavelle's star stayer such a hit with the public

Boilover! Put The Kettle On springs Arkle surprise for De Bromhead and Coleman

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