Toomey: It’s a fairytale just to be able to ride

THERE was no winning return to action for jump jockey Brian Toomey yesterday as his comeback ride, Kings Grey, failed to finish at Southwell. Toomey (below), who has been on the sidelines for two years following a horrific Perth fall from Solway Dandy in 2013 which left him dead for six seconds, was last month issued with a jockeys’ licence after fulfilling every criteria required by the British Horseracing Authority. Sadly, despite his mount being sent off a long odds-on favourite and leading for the majority of the novices’ selling hurdle, the 26-year-old Irishman was forced to pull up the 11-year-old leaving the back straight on the final circuit when something looked to go amiss with the gelding. However, despite the anti-climax, Toomey, who following his fall was in an induced coma for two weeks and had surgery to reduce swelling on his brain as well as some of his skull removed, was just relieved to be back riding. ‘Unfortunately it wasn’t a fairytale ending, but never mind. Just being alive is a fairytale ending,’ he said. ‘I feel very good but the horse didn’t feel that great so I wasn’t go to put him through any hardship. Now this is over and done with I can hopefully get my career back.’ Meanwhile, Ryan Moore will be out of action for another month according to his father Gary after being injured at Newmarket on Thursday.

ROBIN GOODFELLOW napped Rene Mathis, 16-1 winner of the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket on Saturday, as well as tipping July Cup winner Muhaarar (2-1), which was also the Special Bet of FORMCAST.