Berry on course to return next month Fran Berry is progressing well from the fractured ankle he suffered while riding in Japan last November, and is on target to be back in the saddle for the new turf season next month. “It is coming on well and I have been off the crutches for about three weeks. I have just had my first session on the mechanical horse at the RACE apprentice centre and was very happy with the way it went. I had a good sweat and there were no problems at all,” said Berry. “I hope to go to RACE for three or four sessions and build myself up to be riding out in the next few weeks. I would like to be back riding at Dundalk on the Friday of Cheltenham (March 16). “I was up with my surgeon Paddy Kenny on Tuesday and he is very happy with the ankle. The surgeon in Japan and Paddy both said at the time of the accident that I would be out for about four months, and that looks like the time it’s going to take to be back riding.” Berry rode six winners in Japan, as well as finishing second in a Group 1, and ironically was having a great day when his accident occurred. “I was going down to the start for the final race having ridden a Listed winner earlier on the card. “It was just a freak accident as the horse bucked and reared. It was actually a very easy fall but I was unlucky to spin in mid-air and just came down very awkwardly. It was a horrible sight to look down and see my ankle going in one direction and my leg in another. “The main thing at the moment is getting the strength back to race ride. I have been on an intensive programme of physio and fitness.” Berry, who rode 50 winners last year to finish fifth in the Flat jockey’s table, is looking forward to teaming up with Jessica Harrington again this season. “Dragon Pulse is obviously a nice horse and Backbench Blues is another I like. Jessie also has a nice team of well-bred two-year-olds this year.” He will continue to ride out on the Curragh for a number of trainers, and his aim is to simply “try to work as hard as I can and ride as many winners as I can.”
