TONY McCOY revealed yesterday that he is about to take a significant step on the road to recovery. The champion jockey is set to begin riding work for the first time since he suffered two broken bones in his shoulder in a fall at Wincanton last month.
"The physio says I am progressing well and by the end of the week I hope to be able to start riding out again," the Ulsterman said. "By this Thursday I will have been out for a fortnight but I feel really good at the moment."
McCoy's target for a comeback, remains a fortnight on Thursday. "I still aim to be back on February 20th," he said. "But I will make sure I am 100 per cent before I come back as the main thing is to be fit and well for Cheltenham. I have been going back and fro to Ireland quite a lot but it has been quite boring and I will be glad to get back."
McCoy has kept up with racing in his absence and, like Noel Chance who trains his likely Gold Cup mount Mr Mulligan, he was impressed by the third horse in Sunday's Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup.
"I think Imperial Call could be the one they all have to beat at Cheltenham," he said. "I think Danoli winning was brilliant but he still takes some liberties with the fences."
Meanwhile, Frankie Dettori rides in Britain for the first time this year at Wolverhampton today.
The record-breaking Italian has just three rides, partnering Maradata and Whisper Low for Reg Hollinshead and Punkah for Graham McCourt. His agent Matty Cowing explained: "He "couldn't get any more rides as he has got to be at Ascot first for a meeting on the jockeys' insurance scheme. Frankie is in good shape. Everything is in good order and he has been riding out."
Dettori cut short a spell riding in South Africa last month after developing an abscess on his backside and he went to hospital to have screws removed from the elbow he broke in a paddock fall at Newbury last summer.
Racegoers will have to be quick to catch sight of the dual champion jockey who is set to resume his travels at the weekend. "He will ride on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday then he flies out to Dubai," Cowing said.
Today will be the first time Dettori has ridden in Britain since November Handicap day at Doncaster last autumn. He will be aiming for his first British winner since Myrmidon scored on the same course on November 8th.
Ladbrokes are betting on the number of winners Dettori rides in Britain in 1997 and clearly believe he is in for a good year as the bands 191-200 and 201-210 are currently 100 to 30 joint-favourites.
"This is proving an excellent bet, especially for Frankie's many fans, as it gives them an interest in every ride he has on these shores in 1997, including the all-weather," said Ladbrokes spokesman Ian Wassell.
Half Britain's betting shops will be putting money into Tote pools after Ladbrokes joined Tote Direct yesterday.
Massive increases in daily pool sizes for the Jackpot, Placepot and other bets can be expected' following the decision by the country's largest chain to join the Tote and Coral in the venture.
