Russell refusing to set return date

Davy Russell is adamant he won’t set a return date just yet after coming back from injury to ride at Gordon Elliott‘s yard.

Russell sustained two vertebrae fractures in his neck and dislocated another, following a nasty fall on Doctor Duffy in the Munster National at Limerick back in October.

The former champion jockey has been stepping up his recovery and rode Presenting Percy and others at Elliott’s yard on Tuesday.

However, Russell is eager to not put too much pressure on himself and is reluctant at present to set a return date.

“I was certainly happy to be back out and there were no dramas,” said Russell. “I rode a couple of nice horses this morning and it was a nice feeling.

“It’s exciting to be honest, but I still haven’t set a target to be back – I need to go back to the doctor and go through all that.

“The toughest part is still ahead of me really, I need to get fit and lose some weight! Getting race-fit is the most important thing, but hopefully I can crack on now.”