Roberts set to return at Yarmouth

MICHAEL ROBERTS yesterday declared himself fit to return to action after riding out for the first time since he broke his left wrist in July.

The former champion jockey will resume with four rides at Yarmouth, including three for Clive Brittain.

"I had the plaster cast removed to days ago and I went for an X-ray yesterday. The orthopaedic surgeon was very happy and said a return was up to me.

"So I rode work this morning for Clive Brittain for the first time since my injury.

"I was a little stiff after riding the first one but after the second, who was a bit stronger, I felt very comfortable and very confident.

"Mr Brittain said it was up to me whether I rode tomorrow and I thought I have to start some time and there is no sense in delaying it. I'm feeling fine now and I am really chuffed to be back.

"Clive has been very good and I just hope I can resume where I left off as things were going well," he said.

Roberts has been sidelined for seven weeks by his injury, suffered in a fall on Honeyshan at Sandown.

Rather than sit and suffer while watching the action from the sidelines, Roberts spent most of his enforced lay-off out of the country.

"It was no good sitting here so I went back to my farm in South Africa and had a good time!" he said.

"I haven't got any big hopes for the rest of the season and I will just take it as it comes but I will go to Ireland on Saturday to ride Fantastic Fellow in the Group One two-year-old race.

Fantastic Fellow was yesterday supplemented by Brittain for the Aga Khan Studs National Stakes at the Curragh.