'Hopefully I can get a clear run in the spring'- Josh Moore closing in on return

Jump jockey Josh Moore could be back riding within a fortnight after recovering from two spinal injuries sustained in a horror fall at Plumpton in October.

Moore was riding three-time hurdle winner Botox Has on his fencing debut for his father Gary in a novice chase at the East Sussex track when coming to grief at the 11th fence.

The crashing fall knocked the 29-year-old jockey unconscious and he was taken to hospital after receiving treatment at the course.

Moore, who has ridden five winners this season, had not long been back from a spell on the sidelines with concussion and is hoping for a change of luck

He said: “I started riding out again at the beginning of the week and I’ve passed the fitness test to get back riding. I just need to get the all-clear from the doctors and, all being well, I could be back before the end of January or early February."

Josh Moore: the scars after surgery on his backCredit: Edward Whitaker

As to the extent of the injuries he sustained on October 18, he added: “I fractured my T4 and T5 vertebrae in my spine and had to have an operation to put some screws and rods put in, which actually stay in.

"The surgeons have been very happy with it and I’ve been doing a lot of work at Sir Peter O’Sullevan House in Newmarket, where I’ve sometimes stayed over with my brother Ryan.

Josh Moore: 'I like to think I'll be training one day and keeping going with what Dad built' (Members' Club)

"That’s helped me a lot and, combined with some work in the gym at home, I felt good enough to get back in the saddle.”

Looking ahead. Moore added: “I was off all summer with concussion, so I’ve not had the best of luck with injuries this time around, and hopefully I can get a clear run into the spring.”

Moore had his best season of 40 winners in the previous 2020-21 campaign, including on Editeur Du Gite in the Grade 3 Red Rum Handicap Chase at Aintree.

Read these next:

'It was a shame' - jockey misses out on winner after positive Covid-19 test

'His work was very, very good' - Shishkin set for Energumene clash at Ascot

For all our exclusive free bet offers and must-have daily promotions click the free bets button or go to racingpost.com/freebets