Champion jockey Silvestre de Sousa set to return on Wednesday

Silvestre de Sousa announced that he will return to the saddle at Kempton's all-weather meeting next Wednesday after being sidelined following a fall at Chelmsford last month.

The reigning champion jockey sustained a broken collarbone when his mount Alnadir fell in a 1m2f handicap at the Essex track and is set to ride work for the first time since the incident on Saturday.

He said in his Star Sports blog: "I'm delighted to say that after weeks of hard work in the Peter O'Sullevan House in Newmarket, my return to the saddle is planned for next Wednesday. My collarbone has healed and I plan to ride work tomorrow morning for the first time."

Plans to ride in the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket on Saturday were dashed but De Sousa, retained rider to King Power Racing, is looking forward to his return.

Dee Ex Bee and Silvestre de Sousa win at Sandown earlier this seasonCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

"I had hoped to surprise everyone and get back in time to ride in the Cambridgeshire tomorrow, but that has just come a few days too soon. As it stands, I plan to come back at Kempton next Wednesday evening and then build from there," he said.

"It's been tough watching from the sidelines, but that has really spurred me on to get back in the saddle."

De Sousa, who has been champion jockey for the last two years as well as in 2015, had enjoyed a productive season before his accident, with Group-race successes on the likes of Bangkok, Morando, Communique and Nayef Road.

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