Burke moves closer to return after four months on sidelines

Multiple Grade 1-winning jockey Jonathan Burke is nearing a return to action following more than four months on the sidelines due to a shoulder injury.

The 21-year-old Cork native has been no stranger to success in his relatively short career but a fall at Navan last February has kept him off the track since.

Burke said: "It was the main tendon in the shoulder and I chipped a bit off the bone as well, I had a nice job done on it. I'm looking at early to mid-July in terms of a comeback date."

The young rider, who has turned his hand to commentating while away from the saddle, has partnered horses such as Sizing John, Sizing Granite and Apple's Jade to major success and has recently returned to riding out.

He continued: "I've been back riding out for the last two weeks or so and feeling good at the moment. I've been itching to get back race-riding so over the next two to four weeks it's something to look forward to.

"The Santry Sports Clinic were brilliant and my own physio Paul Harrington has been doing great work with me. I'm spot on time-wise with where they were hoping I'd be initially."

Dr Adrian McGoldrick, meanwhile, has issued a positive update on other riders on the sidelines, with Barry Geraghty aiming to return with the Galway festival in mind.

Barry Geraghty: will be aiming to return in time for the Galway festivalCredit: Alain Barr

McGoldrick said: "Barry has just had his rehab in Santry; he started only this week so you're talking another month before he gets back. Galway would very definitely be his target."

The point-to-point scene in Ireland has been offering its support to injured rider Shane Prendergast, who suffered head and back injuries in a fall at Ballingarry this month, with the Turf Club's chief medical officer issuing an update on the 19-year-old's progress.

"I saw Shane on Saturday and he's making a good recovery," said McGoldrick. "Initially they weren't going to see Shane in the Mater Hospital [Dublin] but they've now requested he be transferred there for assessment when a bed comes up.

"It's more for assessment rather than definitive surgery. In relation to the spine, he's awaiting a bed in the Mater for assessment query for surgery. He's certainly progressing in the right direction."

A benefit night in aid of Prendergast has been organised for this Saturday at The Hilltop Bar in Ballymurphy, County Carlow.

Jack Kennedy has taken the jumps scene by storm but has certainly been in the wars, having fractured his right leg twice before breaking his left leg at Punchestown last month.

Jack Kennedy (orange) after the Supreme Novices' Hurdle with Labaik, who has also been in the news this weekCredit: Mark Cranham

McGoldrick said: "Jack's injury happened four or five weeks ago so you're talking another two to three months before he's back in action. With a long bone that's the average, but it's very early days yet."