Matt Griffiths 'might sit on a horse' this weekend as he continues his recovery

Matt Griffiths is continuing to make progress from the serious brain injury he sustained in a fatal car crash in October, with trainer Jeremy Scott revealing the rider may be able to get back on a horse when visiting the yard on Saturday.

Griffiths, 31, was taken to intensive care after being involved in a single-vehicle accident on Exmoor, in which passenger Timothy Gill died when the car hit a tree on October 3.

Scott, for whom Griffiths regularly rides, said the rider had returned home last month but that while physically he was in "pretty good shape" the injury to his brain was continuing to have an impact, such as on his short-term memory.

However, speaking on the Racing Post's What A Shout weekend preview show on Friday, Scott outlined how Griffiths was continuing to make progress from the injury and that it was possible he would be riding at the yard at the weekend.

Scott said: "He comes up and sees us fairly regularly and we're looking forward to seeing him tomorrow, actually. There is some thought that he might even sit on a horse.

"The progress is good but he's still got a long way to go, and he's certainly got a long way to go before he can race-ride."

Dashel Drasher: Matt Griffiths on his way to victory in the Grade 1 Ascot ChaseCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Griffiths enjoyed his biggest moment in the saddle last February when partnering Dashel Drasher to victory in the Grade 1 Ascot Chase, a race for which the nine-year-old is being targeted again by Scott and owners Richard and Veronica Lock and Bridget and Andrew Tully.

Dashel Drasher, who won a 2m4½f handicap hurdle at Newbury last month, had been a potential runner in Saturday’s Grade 2 Coral Siviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton, but will head instead for the new 2m6f Winter Million Chase at Lingfield a week on Sunday.

"We were keen to run [on Saturday] but ideally I'd have wanted a bit more rain," Scott said. "We've opted to go for the Lingfield race next Sunday. The ground will be soft, almost heavy, and could be tacky but we thought that was a better test than Kempton.

"I think the main thing is these races have to be supported. It's a great initiative and I know Lingfield have plans to improve the track over the next few years too."

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