Thornton back in action

Jockey Andrew Thornton is itching to back into the saddle after two months on the sidelines with a broken arm.

He has been out since breaking his left forearm in a fall at Wincanton in December but he is due to complete his comeback at Kempton tomorrow.

Thornton has two booked rides at the track, partnering Diletia and Spring Grove for Robert Alner and he is eager to get back into action.

He said: 'I`m looking forward it. It`s been very frustrating but I`ve been quite lucky that I`ve kept in touch by working on the Racing Channel and I`ve benefited from that and it may lead to something when I retire.

'I enjoyed all of that but it`s no substitute for riding and I can`t wait to get back.

'I rode out this morning for Robert Alner and schooled a couple of horses, including Spring Grove who I ride tomorrow, and everything went great. I didn`t feel like I`ve been away.'

Thornton had enjoyed a good start to the season racking up 42 winners before his fall but now he is focusing on the Cheltenham Festival and Grand National which are still to come this year.

He added: 'I`d had the best start to the season and then I went and broke my arm but I`ve got to get back to it and try and get some good rides for Cheltenham.

'Obviously it`s nice to get back in time for Cheltenham and Aintree when there`s still plenty to look forward to, so in a way I`m pleased it happened when it did.

'I`m back ahead of schedule as I was told I`d be out for three months but it`s been nearly exactly two. The X-ray shows no sign of the break and it`s absolutely 100%.'