Davy Russell nearing return and excited to team up with old ally Gordon Elliott

Davy Russell, the most prolific jump jockey still riding, says the opportunity to come back alongside his old friend and ally Gordon Elliott has been a huge motivational factor for him to return to the saddle after spending nearly a year on the sidelines through injury.

The 41-year-old three-time Irish champion jockey, who partnered Elliott's Tiger Roll to back-to-back Grand National triumphs in 2018 and 2019, has not ridden in public since fracturing his C6 and C7 vertebrae and dislocating his T1 when his mount Doctor Duffy crashed out of the Munster National last October.

Elliott's six-month ban for bringing racing into disrepute ends on September 9. Russell, who has not put a date on when he will make his long-awaited return, has been riding out at Elliott's Cullentra House Stables and says he will be ready when called upon, indicating that his medical team and the IHRB's senior medical officer Dr Jennifer Pugh are happy he is fit to resume riding.

Davy Russell: has ridden 25 Cheltenham Festival winnersCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Speaking on Tuesday afternoon, Russell said: "I'm looking forward to getting back and I'm feeling good. Myself and Gordon have worked very well together for a long time and it's something to look forward to [returning at the same time].

"Gordon has been a huge influence on my career and he's been a big help to me so hopefully there will be plenty more to look forward to. Gordon has some very nice horses heading into the winter. To be able to ride horses like that is what we all dream about so I'm just concentrating on getting back to full fitness and being ready when called upon."

Russell, whose 1,502 winners in Britain and Ireland puts him eighth on the all-time roll of honour, has 25 Cheltenham Festival victories to his name, eight of them supplied by Elliott.

'I'm raring to go'

He added: "Gordon has a few jockeys to choose from and it all depends on who suits each horse but there will be plenty of competition for rides anyway.

"I haven't been riding out anywhere else. I have been tipping it up and down to Gordon's for the past few weeks and keeping busy at home. I got quite heavy and it was hard to get the weight off but I'm back near enough to where I need to be. There is no specific date. It will all depend on ground and different things but I'm raring to go."

Elliott's other main rider Jack Kennedy is expected to return in three weeks, in time for the Listowel harvest festival on September 19, after damaging ribs in a fall at Roscommon on August 3.

Read more:

Sidelined Davy Russell ruled out of Punchestown festival

Davy Russell loses race to be fit for Cheltenham Festival on medical advice

Irish Racehorse Trainers Association pushing for return to 24-hour declarations

Over 50% off Racing Post Members' Club!Members' Club is the only subscription racing fans and punters need in order to stay informed and make smarter betting decisions. Features include early access to the Racing Post digital newspaper, exclusive news and interviews, premium tips and form study tools to assist with betting. Select 'Get Ultimate Monthly' and enter code TRYME to get your first month for just £14.99* – that's better than half price!

Subscribe now

If you decide that Members' Club is not for you, then you can cancel at anytime by contacting us.

*Members' Club Ultimate Monthly first month will be charged at £14.99, renews at full price thereafter