Long absent but 'good match' Stag Horn and Scholfield could return in Lanzarote

Nick Scholfield hopes he will return in time for this weekend's Coral Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle in order to reunite with Stag Horn, who gave the jockey his biggest success of last season.

The pair combined to win the Grade 2 Leamington Spa Novices' Hurdle at Warwick on this weekend last year but Scholfield, 33, has been sidelined since September with an ankle injury which required surgery.

"I'll know more tomorrow morning, but I'll probably be back at the weekend," he said on Wednesday. "I'm feeling good. I've been doing lots of riding out and it will be good to get back to some sort of normality – I'm just looking forward to 2023."

Scholfield aims to partner 20-1 shot Stag Horn at Kempton, with the six-year-old also returning from an absence after finishing eighth in the Sefton Novices' Hurdle in April.

Stag Horn extends away from the final flight in last year's Leamington Spa Novices' Hurdle at WarwickCredit: Edward Whitaker

He said: "Provisionally I might ride Stag Horn, which would be a nice way to come back. I've sat on him and schooled him this week, he seems in good order.

"He won the Leamington Spa this time last year and he's been off a while, a bit like me, so we're a good match!"

Scholfield enjoyed his best season since 2013-2014 with 53 winners last term and is looking forward to getting back to action with the support of trainer Archie Watson and owner Martin Tedham, who retains his services.

"We had a good season last season, I'm very lucky and I ride for a lot of good people," He said.

"Archie's strike-rate is pretty good and hopefully next week Mr Tedham will have some nice runners, so I'm looking forward to riding them."

Sponsors: 5-1 Green Glory, Outlaw Peter, 8 Captain Morgs, West Balboa, 10 Dubrovnik Harry, Petit Tonnerre, 12 Cobblers Dream, Red Risk, Scarface, 14 bar

Read this next:

Meet Terry The Handicapper - social media phenomenon

Sign up here. New customers only. First single and each-way bet only. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 4 x £5 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets exclude virtuals. Free bets are non-withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions. Further T&Cs apply. 18+. begambleaware.org. Commercial notice: This article contains affiliate links. Offers are handpicked and come from operators that our experts have first-hand experience of. Opening an account via one of these links will earn revenue for the Racing Post, which will be used to continue producing our award-winning coverage of horseracing.