Tony 'Tubba' Williams preparing for his first ride since the 1980s

The last time Tony 'Tubba' Williams rode competitively was before Dawn Run had won the Champion Hurdle or Secreto had landed the Derby.

Undaunted, the 58-year-old Goffs UK managing director will dust off his riding boots and get the leg-up on Fly Du Charmil at Friars Haugh point-to-point in Kelso on Sunday.

"I bought the horse in August and when I'm home I ride him out and school him," said Williams. "He's been aimed at Kelso because it's my local point-to-point.

"A good old friend of mine in his 70s from Australia asked if I'd use his colours so I brought a pair with me when I came back after Christmas.

"I'll walk the track on the weekend and have a good look at it and plot a course. I've been there before as a spectator and it's quite a testing course and there's a fair hill in it."

The French-bred , an eight-year-old son of Saint Des Saints, won an open maiden at Woodford at four for trainer Sophie Lacey. He was then transferred to the yard of Warren Greatrex, for whom he won a Newbury bumper on his first start under rules and later a Ffos Las handicap hurdle.

Williams' first riding stint was in the late 1970s in Australia, winning four races in 19 starts as an apprentice. He also rode on the Australian point-to-point circuit in 1982 and '83, winning five of his 19 starts.

"I was too heavy afterwards even to ride out in Australia," he said. "But over here you can hop on a National Hunt horse and go for a ride. I really quite enjoy National Hunt racing and just decided to have a go."

Williams has been busily preparing for his return to the saddle in recent months.

"I've taken off a bit of weight to do it and got myself seriously fit," he said. "I've lost a couple of stone in the last four or five months I've been back riding.

"I went to the Doncaster Racing School and did the physical and assessment for a category A licence in December. I've continued on with all those exercises, planks, leg-ups and all of those things, and have been running and biking as well.

"I'd love to ride in a hunter chase but we'll just see how we go with the point-to-point first."

Williams added: "It's good to think that I can still ride at 58 years of age. There's been lots of interest in the office and everyone's been supportive. I think most of them will turn up and a lot of locals too, so it'll be good fun.

"I'm really looking forward to it - to be able to do these things as you get older keeps you young."

Fly Du Charmil (5): won a Woodford point on his only previous start between the flagsCredit: Alan Crowhurst

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