Mick Fitzgerald made a winning return to race-riding aboard Ceanannas Mor at Leicester yesterday.
The Irishman had been out of action for three weeks since cracking a bone in his shoulder in a fall at Newbury.
His mount, trained by Nicky Henderson, was sent off the 11 to 8 favourite for the John O'Gaunt Maiden Chase and took up a prominent position from the start.
Jumping well, the full-brother to stable-mate Stormyfairweather took the lead with virtually a circuit to go and was never in danger from that point, passing the post nine lengths clear of Jack The Bear.
Fitzgerald is due to renew his partnership with Arkle Trophy winner Tiutchev in the Mitsubishi Tingle Creek Trophy Chase at Sandown tomorrow. Fitzgerald reported no ill effects from his comeback ride. "The shoulder feels very, very good. The injury itself is absolutely fine and it hasn't been the problem. Basically all the muscle has wasted away and I'm left with no coverage at all on the actual bone.
"So I'm going to have to build up the muscle and get it strong so I've got some source of support."
The Irishman was also simply relieved that his wait to return was finally over. "It felt like an eternity, even more because Mr Henderson's horses have been in such good form," he added.
"Every time one of them won it felt like someone was twisting a knife in the injury, even though I wanted them to win.
"It's very irritating. At the start of the season I wanted to ride 100 winners this season and it has set me right back.
"At the same time I'm lucky - there's a lot of lads who get injured who don't have the jobs to come back to that I have. I'm very fortunate to have Nicky Henderson to ride for."
Knock Leader can reward Oliver Sherwood's perseverance by landing the biggest victory of his career at Exeter today.
He has been nursed back to fitness by his patient trainer, after being forced to miss the whole of last season, and looks poised to collect the £12,000added Axminster Carpets Devon Marathon Handicap.
The four-mile trip should be no problem to the stoutly-bred gelding, who is proven over three miles and five furlongs - the longest trip he has previously tackled - and races like a thorough stayer.
