'Incredibly proud' Ali Rawlinson back in the winners after serious ankle injury

Ali Rawlinson's perseverance paid off on Monday when he returned to the winner's enclosure for the first time in nearly eight months, just six rides since returning from a career-threatening ankle injury sustained in a fall at Windsor in June.

Rawlinson, who returned to action on January 22 following extensive rehab at the Peter O'Sullevan House in Newmarket, took the 5f selling handicap at Wolverhampton aboard Zapper Cross, who is owned and trained by Mick Appleby.

Appleby has provided Rawlinson with all of his rides since his return to racing and the 29-year-old jockey was thankful for the support he received by the trainer throughout his recovery.

Rawlinson said: "I'm incredibly proud to be able to come back and hit the ground running. We wanted to get a couple of rides here and there just to get the sharpness back but there wasn't really an aim to ride a winner straight off the cuff.

"Obviously having been off the track for such a long time, it was just to see if the ankle was able to take the volume, which we knew it would do but I think it was also for peace of mind.

"My agent Steve Croft and boss Mick [Appleby] thought it was the right thing to do and it's paid off tonight on a horse who has been in the yard a long time. We know him inside out and it was nice to do it for the boss and for owners who have had the belief to put me on so early after coming back."

Mick Appleby: 'It was nice to do it for the boss,' said Ali Rawlinson

Rawlinson also praised the role of surgeon Callum Clarke, who played an instrumental role during the rehabilitation process. "People wouldn't know who Callum is from Adam, but to me he's a career saver," said Rawlinson. "The ankle was in a bad way and his methods are the reason I've been able to race again.

"From everyone at the Injured Jockeys Fund plus the Peter O'Sullevan guys – Ross, Greg, Emma and Becky – it's nice to come back and win, as they put all of their hard work into it as well. Dealing with us every day can probably get tireless.

"My family went through the wringer the first ten days while I was in hospital just questioning what would happen. Everybody's played their part and it's just nice to come back and prove to yourself that you're still able to go out there and do justice to everyone who had faith in you from the beginning."

Rawlinson is next in action at Southwell on Thursday when he rides the Michael Attwater-trained Delagate The Lady in the same colours as Diligent Lady, the horse he sustained his injuries on, but the jockey is keen to look forward rather than dwelling on the pains of the past.

"It was a learning curve 2021," Rawlinson said. "I learnt a lot about myself but hopefully 2022 can be a lot better for my career. It's onwards and upwards now and hopefully we've put the past behind us and move on."

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