Diabetic jockey Jonothan Lower, who hoped to celebrate Christmas by re-launching his riding career, postponed his comeback yesterday. He reluctantly opted to delay his return to the saddle until he is satisfied the left leg he broke six weeks ago is completely recovered.

Lower, aged 30, was hoping to resume on St Stephen's Day and become the first diabetic jockey to ride in Britain, ending a 16 month absence.

A special licence permitting him to ride, but limiting him to one ride a day at not less than 11st, was granted by the Jockey Club in October.

But he then broke his leg in a gallops accident and the jockey was still feeling some discomfort after schooling for Martin Pipe yesterday morning.

"The calf muscle is still giving me a lot of twinges and after speaking to Dr Michael Turner I have decided to give it another week or so," he said.

"The bone is fixed, it's the fibula which all the muscles are attached to that's the problem. But that should get better with more exercise and gym work."

In the summer of 1996 Lower was told his career was over after he was diagnosed an insulin-dependent diabetic. But a specially devised protocol helped persuade the Jockey Club to grant him a licence.