Madden to return on Friday Jockey Niall ‘Slippers’ Madden is to return to race-riding at Wexford on Friday, having recently begun riding out following a heavy fall at Naas on March 6. Madden was partnering Bella Mana Mou in the Lucan Racing Leinster National Handicap Chase when his mount fell at the third fence. The Grand National winning jockey suffered head injuries in the fall and, following a lengthy hospital stay, had been on the ‘easy list’ until recently. Today Madden stated “I could do nothing for a time after the fall and rested up during the following weeks. However Professor Jack Philips did a scan at the Bons Secour Hospital last Friday and passed me and I passed a concussion test at Naas Hospital yesterday.” “I’ve been back riding out since last Tuesday, feel fine and am looking forward to getting back. I’ll be riding out on The Curragh for Eddie Harty, Martin Brassil and for my Dad. Everything looks tight at present and I’ll be looking for any opportunities going!” “Once Punchestown is finished, I’ll also be looking to the Flat for rides and hope to give it a serious go this year – I should be able to ride at around 9st02lbs.” The former Champion Amateur Jockey, who is following in the footsteps of his father Niall ‘Boots’ Madden Snr in being a jockey, also reports “my brother Tom (nicknamed ‘Socks’) is 13 but won an Open Hunter Trial on Saturday and is already mad keen into racing! He is a big help to Dad during the summer and we should have plenty of runners again this summer.” Thomas Weekes
