McCoy Back in the Saddle

Following weeks of uncertainty in the wake of a serious fall at Warwick in January, Tony McCoy has been given the all-clear by the surgeon attending to his injury to compete in the 2008 Cheltenham Festival.

McCoy’s recovery came courtesy of an intensive therapeutic program that saw him make use of the latest advances in physiotherapy. The jubilant McCoy announced his recovery to close friend Luke Harvey in a text message.

McCoy, widely rated the best jockey in the history of national hunt racing with 11 national hunt champion jockey titles to his name, is short odds favourite to take the Top Jockey title at the 2008 Cheltenham Festival.

Although McCoy has been cleared to race by his surgeon he will still need to convince the British Horseracing Authority's chief medical officer that he is capable of racing at Prestbury Park in two weeks. The official clearance is required for McCoy to qualify for insurance when he takes part in the 2008 Cheltenham Festival.

Should McCoy receive the expected clearance to participate, racing fans can look forward to watching the legendary jockey taking on Cheltenham Gold Cup favourites Denman and Kauto Star astride exciting Cheltenham Gold Cup contender Exotic Dancer.

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