Wantage-based jockey Cathy Gannon has returned to the saddle as she sets her sights on being fit for the start of the Flat turf season.

The Irish-born rider, who enjoyed her best year in 2011 with 71 winners before breaking her right leg in a fall at Nottingham in October, has stepped up her comeback by riding two lots each morning at Mick Channon’s West Ilsley stables.

Gannon said: “It’s good to be back on a horse and among the lads again.

“I’ve been off for a long time, so I felt it for the first few days, but that’s only to be expected.

“The bad weather means we’ve just been trotting in the indoor school, but that suits me just fine at the moment.”

Now she is aiming to be race-riding again before the William Hill Lincoln meeting at Doncaster at the end of next month.

“It might sound daft, but if I had to get injured I suppose the back end of the turf season was the best time for it to happen as I can concentrate fully on getting right just before the start of the coming turf campaign,” she added.

“That’s a realistic target and I’ll hopefully come out firing.

“As I step up my fitness, I’ll be riding out for as many trainers as I can and hopefully the upward curve can continue.

“I can’t wait to get going again.”