Gallagher makes Auteuil return

Dean Gallagher is set for a miraculous return to race-riding this afternoon, having recently recovered from a broken neck.

The France-based jockey fractured three vertibrae in a fall at Cagnes-Sur-Mer on Boxing Day and was given the all-clear to return by doctors in Paris just 11 days ago.

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Gallagher said: "It's great to be back. I'm really looking forward to it. I have five rides booked at Auteuil, including one on Princesse D'Anjou, who won the Grande Steeple-Chase de Paris (French Grand National) last year. Hopefully they will all go well."

The former Champion Hurdle-winning jockey has also issued a 'come-and-get-me' plea as he bids to book an 11th ride in the John Smith's Grand National at Aintree on April 12.

Gallagher had hoped to partner the Francois Cottin-trained Louping D'Ainay, but the mare was ruled out last week with a leg injury.

"The stable kept the news from me for a few days until I received the all-clear," said Gallagher. "The thought of riding in the National helped me through some rough times when I was lying flat on my back and it is obviously a huge disappointment."

Gallagher finished fourth aboard Dubacilla in Royal Athlete's 1995 Grand National - the closest he's gone in 10 attempts at Aintree - is now hoping that Dave Roberts, his agent in England, will find him a ride in the four and a half-mile marathon.

"It would be great to ride at Aintree again and I just hope that Dave will be able to fix something up. I'll be ready if a call comes," he said.