McGrath nearing return to action after Cheltenham injury

Jerry McGrath could be in for an early Christmas gift if he recieves the all-clear to ride at Ascot this Saturday after breaking his arm in a fall at Cheltenham last month.

McGrath originally pinpointed Boxing Day as a target after suffering the injury in a first-fence fall from Theinval in the BetVictor Gold Cup but hopes he will be passed fit on Thursday to resume two days earlier.

"I've been into Oaksey House most of the last ten days and am trying to get back for Ascot on Saturday," said McGrath on Wednesday. "If not it will be Boxing Day. I'm seeing the specialist tomorrow and it will all become clearer then."

McGrath's injury came just as his boss, Nicky Henderson, was beginning to hit top gear in terms of numbers of runners.

"It was a straightforward fracture which just got pinned and plated," added McGrath, a Cheltenham Festival winner back in 2012 aboard Une Artiste.

"They were just a bit worried about possible damage to the ligaments around my wrist, which is why I've been in a cast which goes up above my elbow for four weeks. They just wanted to totally immobilise the wrist."

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