Classic-winning rider Sean Levey makes belated return to action at Kempton

More than four months after breaking his collarbone at Salisbury in June, Classic-winning jockey Sean Levey returns to action with two rides at Kempton on Wednesday.

With 16 turf winners in 2018, including 66-1 winner Billesdon Brook in the 1,000 Guineas, Levey had looked set for a record-breaking personal season until injury struck.

"I’m very excited to be back," Levey said after riding work on Tuesday. "It’s been a long time on the sidelines so I'm glad to have finally been given the go-ahead.

"It was a huge setback for sure. I was going really well at the time, on the back of my first Guineas winner, and it was really disappointing for all of that to be put on hold. But these things happen in this game and you’ve got to keep moving forward.”

Levey added: "I would like to say a huge thank you to the Injured Jockeys Fund and in particular the staff at Oaksey House who did so much to aid my recovery."

Levey’s two comeback rides at Kempton come courtesy of Spell (6.30) for Richard Hannon and the Stuart Williams-trained Excellent George (7.00).

Maria ready to benefit at Bangor

Stuart Edmonds' exciting mare Maria’s Benefit seeks to maintain her perfect record over fences at Bangor on Wednesday and will face five rivals in the Listed Canter Carpet Mares’ Novices’ Chase (1.20).

The six-year-old compiled a prolific novice hurdling resume last season, collecting five consecutive wins before falling foul to the mighty Laurina in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March and impressed in her sole chase start at Newton Abbot last month.

"We were really pleased with her performance at Newton Abbot," Edmunds said on Tuesday. "She will have come on a bundle for that both in terms of experience and fitness.

Maria's Benefit makes her second start over fences at Bangor on WednesdayCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

"I think the ground at Bangor should be perfect for her – we’re really looking forward to it. She wasn't quite good enough for open company over hurdles and she would have been weighted to have some hard runs in handicaps this season," Edmunds added.

"She’s always schooled over fences at home and has always been very quick over them so we were confident she would handle the transition."

Mullins young guns take centre stage

Willie Mullins looks to have a strong hand in the 2m4f novice hurdle (2.30) at Fairyhouse on Wednesday with My Sister Sarah and Stay Humble.

My Sister Sarah, the mount of Ruby Walsh, has won her only two starts for the champion trainer, a bumper and a maiden hurdle.

Willie Mullins: saddles two exciting prospects at Fairyhouse on WednesdayCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Mullins said: "She's two from two and was very impressive on her hurdling debut over the trip at Punchestown last month.

"She should have a good future and if all goes well she could be one for the mares novice hurdle at Cheltenham in March. She seems to have a great engine and is in good form."

Stay Humble will be ridden by Paul Townend, and Mullins said: "He was disappointing on his first few starts but got it together to win a bumper before winning a three-mile maiden hurdle at Sligo in August.

"He's dropping back in distance and we'll see how things go. Whatever happens here he should pay his way in staying novice hurdles."

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