Tony McCoy returns to action at Ludlow tomorrow, just nine days after breaking his cheekbone in three places in a nasty fall at Plumpton.
The champion jockey, refreshed from a holiday in Dubai, has five mounts booked at the Shropshire track - two each for both Martin Pipe and Nicky Henderson and one for Paul Webber. He kicks off on Jardin Fleuri for Pipe in the opening Corve Novices' Selling Hurdle and also partners Guard Duty for the champion trainer in the Lugg Novices' Chase.
McCoy rides the Henderson pair of Ken'tucky in the Arrow Handicap Hurdle and Kercabellec in the Clun `National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle. He is needed by the Seven Barrows-based trainer as his three recognised riders - Mick Fitzgerald, Marcus Foley and Andrew Tinkler - are all injured.
Webber gives him the leg up on Lord North in the Moore Scott Handicap Chase. He is not qualified to ride in the two other races on the card, a hunter chase for amateur riders and a handicap chase for conditional jockeys.
McCoy damaged his cheekbone when he was kicked after Polar Red crashed out at the second fence in the Tyser Insurance Ltd Novices' Chase. Fortunately, the injury did not require surgery.
The eight-times champion has seen his lead whittled way from seven to just two (159-157) in the title race by Richard Johnson since his enforced absence.