Piggott recovers after scare

Legendary jockey Lester Piggott plans to attend the annual racing awards ceremony held in his honour next week despite spending the Christmas period in hospital.

The 71-year-old is recuperating at his home in Newmarket after being given the all-clear following tests for a suspected heart problem.

The 11-times champion rider was admitted to hospital after feeling unwell on Christmas Eve, and was released five days later.

Piggott now hopes to be well enough to go to The Lesters awards ceremony on Saturday week.

Bruce Raymond, former jockey and now racing manager to the Gainsborough Stud, said: "I had heard over Christmas that he was not well and then I saw something in the local paper so I gave him a call on Thursday night.

"I spoke to his wife Susan and then Lester came on the line. He seemed fine, very bright really, and said he was looking forward to going to The Lesters."

The Jockeys Association, who produce the glittering event at London's Grosvenor House Hotel, intend to speak to Piggott in the next few days.

"We understand that he will be able to attend, but we are giving him a bit of space and hope to speak to him next week - we always do that just to finalise things," said chief executive John Blake.

"Obviously, the first priority is that he's on the road to recovery and if he's able to go to the Lesters, than that would be a bonus."

After leaving hospital, Piggott visited Somerville Lodge Stables, home of son-in-law William, and his daughter Maureen Haggas.

Maureen Haggas said: "My father said he didn't feel great on Christmas Eve and they thought it best to take him in.

"It wasn't anything dramatic and the results have come back fine.

"He travelled to Hong Kong last month, which may have taken a lot out of him at 71.

"Although there are better places to be than hospital at Christmas, we popped over and took him some Christmas lunch, which cheered him up," she told the Racing Post.

Piggott retired in 1994 after 4,493 career wins, including nine Derby victories.