NORMAN WILLIAMSON will find out on Thursday whether he has any chance of returning to action in time for the Cheltenham Festival. Kim Bailey's stable jockey has been out since breaking his right femur in a crashing fall from Joe White at Sedgefield on October 9th.
On Thursday he is due for a visit to hospital for an X-ray. But Williamson, who will be 27 next week and completed the Champion Hurdle-Gold Cup double aboard Alderbrook and Master Oats at last year's Festival, has no inkling of what he is likely to be told.
"Everything depends on the X-ray," he said. "The leg feels fine but if it isn't mended they won't let me back. If it is mended, then probably the best I can hope for is to be back in five weeks."
The final composition for the inaugural running of the world's richest race, the Dubai World Cup in March, has been announced with crack American performer Cigar heading a star cast of 14. Other American entries for the $4 million prize are L'Carriere and Soul Of The Matter.
The three berths set aside for European horses have been allocated to Pentire and Freedom Cry the first two home in the Irish Champion Stakes, and Newmarket 2,000 Guineas winner Pennekamp, who is unraced since injuring himself in the Epsom Derby.
Reserves include Celtic Swing and the Dermot Weld-trained Definite Article.
