Last month Co Antrim man Tony McCoy fell at Warwick and suffered a fractured vertebrae and he has been away from tracks since then. Now, the jockey says he is feeling much better and, if things go as planned, he will be back for the Cheltenham festival to ride Albertas Run.

“I went to Dubai on holiday for ten days and that was great - the sun, I think, really helped me,” McCoy commented. “I'm feeling good now. The last time I had a painkiller was the day after I had my operation. I'm unbelievably mobile. Even when I went to Dubai, I was walking five or six miles along the beach every day.”

The jockey assured he is having sessions of intense physio and going to the gym every day. Also, he has recovered the ability to touch his toes without feeling pain and doctors say they are very satisfied with him.

Next week Tony McCoy will have a new scan and if results confirm his good condition, as everyone is expecting, it will not be far until we see this excellent jockey riding again.