McCoy making good progress

Tony McCoy is expected to leave hospital on Sunday after undergoing surgery on his back injury.

The 12-times champion damaged a vertebrae after he parted company with Arnold Layne in the totesport.com Classic Chase at Warwick last Saturday.

After further checks at the Nuffield Hospital in Oxford on Tuesday afternoon, McCoy’s medical team decided a minor operation was required.

The jockey, who expects to be fit in time for the Cheltenham Festival, had the necessary surgery the same day and his doctors are delighted with the way it went.

“I have spoken to AP today, he’s in good spirits and is making great progress,” said Gee Bradburne, McCoy’s personal assistant.

“Spinal specialists Mr James Wilson-Macdonald and Mr Adi Zubovic said the operation went like clockwork and they are very pleased with the result.

“AP will be home on Sunday when he will start a rehabilitation plan devised by the surgeons and Dr Philip Pritchard.

“Movement will be encouraged and the plan will include power walking and physiotherapy to begin with.

“Both of the surgeons have highly complimented Dr Pritchard on his level of knowledge as a physician and his sense of urgency.

“They both agree the jockeys are very lucky to have him and AP’s Cheltenham return will be largely due to his management of the injury.

“Regular visitor Eve McCoy, AP’s nine-week-old daughter, and wife Chanelle are keeping him in good heart.”