David Mullins raring to go at Fairyhouse after recovering from horror fall

Grand National-winning jockey David Mullins says he is keen to prove he is as good as ever when he returns to action at Fairyhouse on Saturday for the first time since fracturing his clavicle and thoracic vertebra in a horror fall at Thurles last October.

David's father Tom said that the doctors admitted he might not have walked again but for the fact he had very good, strong bones.

Mullins has spent the last four months in rehabilitation and has achieved his goal of returning to the saddle before the Cheltenham Festival.

The rider said: "I feel great and I can't wait to be back riding. I'm 100 per cent and I feel like nothing has happened at all. I feel exactly the same way I did before the fall.

"I was keen to get back a few weeks before Cheltenham as you have to prove to trainers that you are every bit as good as you were before the injury. I have been back riding out for two and a half weeks or so and I feel absolutely great. It's all systems go."

Mullins, who won the 2016 Grand National on Rule The World, has his first ride back on Barnaviddaun in the opening 2m maiden hurdle (1.45) and he will also be on board Court Maid in the 2m4f handicap hurdle (2.52).

He said: "Hopefully they both have some sort of chance. Court Maid has lost her way but she is nicely handicapped on the best of her form and hopefully she can show some of her old sparkle."

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