FITZGERALD BACK WITH WINNER Mick Fitzgerald made a winning return to race-riding aboard Ceanannas Mor at Leicester today. The Irishman had been out of action for three weeks since cracking a bone in his shoulder in a fall at Newbury. His mount, trained by Nicky Henderson, was sent off the 11-8 favourite for the John O`Gaunt Maiden Chase and took up a prominent position from the start. Jumping well, the full-brother to stablemate Stormyfairweather took the lead with virtually a circuit to go and was never in danger from that point, passing the post nine lengths clear of Jack The Bear. Fitzgerald is due to renew his partnership with Arkle Trophy winner Tiutchev in the Mitsubishi Tingle Creek Trophy Chase at Sandown on Saturday. Fitzgerald reported no ill effects from his comeback ride. He told the Racing Channel: 'The shoulder feels very, very good. 'The injury itself is absolutely fine and it hasn`t been the problem. Basically all the muscle has wasted away and I`m left with no coverage at all on the actual bone. 'So I`m going to have to build up the muscle and get it strong so I`ve got some source of support.' The Irishman was also simply relieved that his wait to return was finally over. 'It felt like an eternity, even more because Mr Henderson`s horses have been in such good form,' he added. 'Every time one of them won it felt like someone was twisting a knife in the injury, even though I wanted them to win. 'It`s very irritating. At the start of the season I wanted to ride 100 winners this season and it has set me right back. 'At the same time I`m lucky - there`s a lot of lads who get injured who don`t have the jobs to come back to that I have. I`m very fortunate to have Nicky Henderson to ride for.'
