Newmarket trainer Michael Bell resurrects his riding career at Sandown Park tomorrow - but stresses it is definitely a one-off.
The master of Fitzroy House partners his hack Sheriffmuir in the Barclays Handicap Hurdle on his first ride in a race for about 14 years.
"My last ride was at Hereford where I finished second in a hunter chase," he said today.
Although he has worked hard to get fit, he realises that the lack of a recent ride makes it more difficult.
"I'm as fit as I can possibly be without having had a couple of rides," Bell said. "It's difficult to get very fit without having ridden in a race for so long.
"It's a one-off. This is a race for people who have been in the forces and as I was in the army I thought I'd do it for the crack.
"I'll have no trouble with the weight as the horse has to carry 12st 7lb."
"The horse is in good form. I'm very happy with him.
"If he comes off the bridle too soon the rider may need some oxygen!"
Bell, who had five winners from 80 National Hunt rides, is no stranger to success as a jockey at Sandown.
He won the Duke of Gloucester Memorial Hunters' Chase on Ten Cherries for Mercy Rimell at this meeting in 1985.
