Jack Mitchell glad to be back as he aims to beat last year's record haul

Jack Mitchell returns to race-riding at Wolverhampton on Monday evening after taking two months out to have keyhole surgery on his right shoulder.

The 30-year-old, who enjoyed his best year in 2018 with 66 winners, resumes on the Andi Brown-trained Kirtling in the opener at the West Midlands track at 5.15pm, and partners Daring Guest for Tom Clover in the following race.

Attached to the Roger Varian stable, Mitchell rode four winners in January before have a planned operation to rectify a longstanding injury.

He said: "I had a couple of falls a few years ago and I knew that February and March were quiet months so it made sense to have it looked at. It's never ideal to take time out but Roger had few runners during that period and I've been back riding work for the past fortnight.

"As well as Roger, I've been riding out for Simon Crisford and Hugo Palmer, who have been good to me over the years. Hopefully, it's onwards and upwards."

Mitchell, who rode Classical Times to land a Listed race at Haydock for Peter Chapple-Hyam last year, also has two rides lined up for Palmer at Lingfield on Wednesday.

As for the prospects of returning with a winner, he said: "I think Kirtling should run well. When I rode him at Newcastle last time it didn't look as if he got the stiff mile and a half there and this may be better for him."

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