Winston returns to Kempton

Robert Winston will have his first taste of race-riding action in a year when he takes the reins aboard Chiracahua at Kempton on Thursday night.

Winston was handed a 12-month ban in February last year after being found guilty of passing information for reward by the UK's old Horseracing Regulatory Authority.

After being re-issued with a licence, the jockey, who was going well in the championship race of 2005 only for serious injury to derail his bid, will take two rides at the all-weather track.

Winston will bid to kickstart his career on Chiracahua in the kempton.co.uk Classified Stakes before getting the leg up on Divertimenti in the TFM Solutions Handicap.

Paddy Butler, trainer of the former, rates Winston highly and hopes he can provide him with the perfect return.

“He’s ridden Quality Street for me before and he’s a top rider,” said Butler.

“I’ve used him in the past and liked him and with Neil Callan having a ride in the race I put him up.

“He’s one of the top riders and he’s starting back at a fairly low level riding here in a 0-45 race, but on a couple of runs the horse would have a good chance.

“He’s in at Kempton on Wednesday as well but I intend to run him again as he’s a sprinter and he’s very fit and well.

“When Mick Kinane rode him in Ireland he was not beaten far in a handicap and he definitely has ability, he just wants to do it all in one go.

“He’s a big, strong horse and I think he’d have a fair chance.”