McCoy hopeful of quick comeback

Tony McCoy is hopeful that he can return to the saddle in time for the Hennessy meeting at Newbury in 11 days time, if not before.

The nine-times champion jockey was involved in a nasty incident at Folkestone yesterday afternoon when he got his thumb caught in the reins as he was thrown from Flying Patriarch at the start of the Daily Mail Juvenile Maiden Hurdle.

The thumb was initially feared to be fractured, which could have meant a lengthy lay-off for the 30-year-old, but after he travelled to Ridgeway Hospital near Swindon for X-rays it turned out to be a dislocation at the tip, and was then operated on.

“It was put back last night,” said McCoy. “It does not really hurt, but I am going to go back to hospital next Monday to get it looked at by Dr Turner (Jockey Club doctor) and see what he thinks.

“I haven’t really got a plan for when I will be back, but I am hoping it will be in time for a week on Saturday, if not before, but you cannot rush things.”

If McCoy is able to return at Newbury, he will be able to have his first ride on the exceptional staying hurdler Baracouda, who his set to return in the Ballymore Properties Long Distance Hurdle.

A man never happy spending a spell on the sidelines, when he was asked how he was going to use his time off, McCoy replied: “I am not sure what I will do, but golf is out of the question!”