Henrietta Knight has issued a positive update on Terry Biddlecombe’s condition after he suffered a stroke at their West Lockinge home, near Wantage, on Saturday.

The three-times champion jumps jockey, 70, is undergoing treatment at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford.

And Knight is pleased with how her husband has progressed.

She said: “Everything is more upbeat today. He has had a good 24 hours and is able to manage to say a few sentences.

“He is not very fluent and gets lost for words, but it is a lot more encouraging and he has an excellent speech therapist. A good few swear words come out!

“He will stay in hospital for a while, but is overwhelmed by all the messages he has had from well wishers. Thank you all so much.”