McCoy Pinpoints Return Date

Tony McCoy is hoping to be back in the saddle prior to the Cheltenham Festival so as to ensure he is fighting fit for the four-day Prestbury Park bonanza.

Having required surgery on a fractured vertebrae after suffering a crashing fall at Warwick earlier in the month, the 12-time champion jockey is now up and about after his operation.

McCoy is targeting a return date that will give his back as much time as possible to recover, while providing him with a sufficient period in which to regain match fitness in the plate.

'Obviously I want to be back riding before Cheltenham,' said McCoy.

'Some time within that week or so beforehand to give it as much time as possible, but at the same time I want to be back riding to make sure that I'm good and fit and ready to go.

'So as soon as it's been given enough time I want to get back in good time (for Cheltenham) to be fit and then we'll just have to see,' he told Sky Sports News.

'But we'll just have to make sure it heals properly first.'

(C) PA Sport