Champion jockey Jim Crowley, who has been sidelined since the late October four-horse Kempton spill that left Freddy Tylicki paralysed, returns to the saddle on Wednesday with seven rides at Kempton and Lingfield.
“I'm really looking forward to getting back,” Crowley told Sky Sports News. “I thought I'd have a nice, easy day coming back; I wasn't expecting so many rides, but I've got to start somewhere.
I was laid up for a few weeks and I took a bit of a bashing. I started off riding my childrens' ponies then moved on to the bigger ones. I'm fairly fit and I'm really looking forward to it.”
Crowley was last month named the new first-call rider for Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum.
“When I got the call, I was absolutely delighted,” he added.
“It's going to be a bit different because I'll be riding out for lots of different stables, but hopefully I'll get on some really nice horses.” Of the prospect of defending his championship, Crowley added, “Willie Carson was champion when he was retained, so it's certainly not impossible. I'll do my best to retain it, but riding for Sheikh Hamdan is my priority. Last year I didn't think about the championship until after Glorious Goodwood, so it will be much the same this year. We'll get Goodwood out of the way and see where we are. If we're close enough, we'll give it a go.”
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