Barry Geraghty has been given the all-clear to return to riding and is targeting a successful Aintree Festival after missing out on the festivities at Cheltenham last month.
Geraghty suffered a punctured lung and six broken ribs after a fall on Charli Parcs in the Adonis Hurdle at Kempton in February. Those injuries forced the 37-year-old to give up several plum rides at the Cheltenham Festival, but he revealed to At The Races yesterday that has he been cleared to return to riding, just in time for the upcoming Grand National festival at Aintree.
“I got the results of my scan this evening and, thankfully, everything came back clear and I’m good to go.” Geraghty told At The Races.
“I knew that I was fine, the lungs and the ribs have responded well. I have been working away around the place at home and I have been riding out. I rode work on Cause Of Causes on Wednesday and I’m off now to school More Of That on Friday morning. Even so, it was still a big relief to get the OK.”
“It has been a long week, it has been a long wait, just waiting for the word, but it has been worth the wait.”
“It was obviously a big shame to miss out on Cheltenham, but I’m delighted to get back now in time for Aintree, and to be able to look ahead to Fairyhouse and Punchestown.”
“I hope to have my first rides back at Fairyhouse on Sunday. Thanks to everyone who has helped me over the last few weeks. I’m just really looking forward to getting going again.”