Casey returns from broken ankle David Casey makes a welcome return to action at Gowran Park tomorrow after missing nearly two months with a fractured right ankle. Casey, no stranger to injuries over the years, suffered his latest spell on the sidelines when unseated from the Charlie Swan-trained Roman Flight after the gelding attempted to refuse at the first in a three-year-old maiden hurdle at Roscommon on August 2. The Waterford native has been building up to this latest comeback over the past few weeks after getting the cast removed a fortnight ago. “The cast came off two weeks ago but (orthopaedic surgeon) Paddy Kenny wouldn't let me back race-riding for two weeks. I've been to the gym every day since, and I've also been riding out a few days at the Curragh for James Nash and done a couple of bits of work for Willie Mullins,” explained Casey. He continued, “I've not been able to do a whole lot over the last few months. With the cast and the crutches, your two arms are gone and your leg is gone. But then a couple of weeks ago they redid the cast and I was able to put a bit of weight on it, so that gave me a bit more movement. “I decided not to go away on a holiday as it was going to be very uncomfortable. I was fairly bored for a few weeks alright!.” It will be a low-key return at Gowran tomorrow with just the one mount aboard Jewel In The Sun for Swan in the two and a half miles Freshford Handicap Hurdle. However Casey is hopeful of a good ride saying, “It's one of those races that you could give a lot of horses chances in but he goes on the ground and, after disappointing a bit at Killarney and Galway, ran better the last day at Fairyhouse so hopefully he can build on that.” He has no major targets for the season ahead and is just looking forward to getting back in the saddle and hopefully staying in one piece. “The most important think is to get back going and build on it from there. Hopefully I can get back riding a few winners.” Alan Magee
