Sky Sports Racing’s ambassador Hollie Doyle prepares for her first rides back at Southwell on Saturday and previews the key contests from Keeneland at the Breeders' Cup on Saturday.
Back with eight rides at Southwell
It's been a long, difficult road, but I'm finally back in the saddle at Southwell on Saturday, five months after breaking my left leg in a horrible fall at Bath. I comfortably passed my mandatory 'return to riding' test in midweek which clears me to take eight rides on the All-Weather.
There are so many people to thank for helping my recovery, in particular the Injured Jockeys Fund. Rob Treviss and Joe Baker at Oaksey House in Lambourn and my physiotherapist Daloni Lucas have all been amazing.
I've been working with those guys five days a week since I left hospital a few weeks after my fall and, in my mind, always aimed for an early November comeback, so I'm delighted to be on track and feeling good.
Injuries are part and parcel of being a jockey and I've had plenty but none that has kept me out of action for this long. I'm just grateful that such a bad injury has allowed me another chance to do what I love.
For now, I aim to concentrate on building up my race-riding fitness on the All-Weather before finalising my plans for the winter, but I'm hopeful I will be riding overseas at some stage.
Sunny looks my best chance of comeback winner
It would be amazing to come back with a winner at Southwell on Saturday night and Simon Crisford's Always Sunny looks my best chance in the All-Weather Trials Day - Lingfield 2nd Jan 2027 Fillies' Novice Stakes (5.40).
She showed a lot of promise on debut at Newcastle, finishing a close second to the odds-on favourite despite being badly hampered by a loose horse.
I'm also hoping for a big run from Ralph Beckett's classy filly Chantilly Lace in the feature race, the Midnite Ain't Your Grandad's Bookie Handicap (6.15). I rode work on this lovely big filly last week and expect her to appreciate the drop in grade on a surface she should enjoy.
I also sat on Ralph's Drum Bay last week and got a nice enough feel off him to suggest he will go well in the All-Weather Championship Is Back Nursery Handicap (5.05) after being gelded, though he has Godolphin's 92-rated National Honour to beat.
Hoping for memorable first ride on Circus
My first ride back is Oxford Circus in the first division of the ARC All Weather Bonus Is Back Handicap (4.00). James Owen's ex-Irish gelding showed promise at Brighton recently and will hopefully sharpen up for the fitting of a visor in an open race.
In the second division (4.35), I'm on Mike Murphy's reliable filly Desert Charm who is so consistent and is drawn well in stall one after beating all but the favourite in a Yarmouth handicap earlier this month.
I ride again for James Owen in the AWC Finals Day At Newcastle 26th March EBF 'Confined' Restricted Maiden Stakes (6.50). Al Alami showed promise over seven-furlongs at Kempton on debut when racing up with the pace so should enjoy stepping back a furlong.
Strong pace will suit Beckett sprinter
Bolo Neighs should also go well in the Make The Move To Midnite Handicap (7.25). Ralph Beckett's gelding enjoys being produced off a strong pace which he should get if he can overcome a tricky wide draw in stall 11.
My final ride is for champion All-Weather trainer Tony Carroll in the Midnite A Next Generation Betting App Handicap (8.00). I've won twice on Midnight Call around Wolverhampton - the last time just a few days before my accident in May. She's done all her winning round a bend, so we'll have to see how she copes with the straight 5f.
Watch the 2026 Breeders' Cup from Keeneland live on Sky Sports Racing (Sky 415 | Virgin 512) on Friday 30th and Saturday 31st October.
Blue is the colour at Breeders' Cup
It would be wonderful to see Andrew Balding crown a magnificent season with victory in the Makers Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare (7.04) at Keeneland on Saturday.
His beautiful filly Blue Bolt is the worthy favourite despite a difficult draw. She definitely has the gears she needs for a track like that and should confirm her superiority over Aidan O'Brien's nimble filly Precise, who has chased her home three times already this year.
I have similar expectations of Godolphin's Notable Speech in the FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile (8.20). Charlie Appleby's colt is so professional on turning tracks and couldn't have had a better 'prep' than his Group 1 win in the Woodbine Mile.
Nunthorpe hero Bacio to be crowned Sprint King
It's going to take a massive performance to deny Wesley Ward's US ace Bacio in the Prevagen Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (5.48) at Keeneland.
British racing fans saw how potent he is when he won the Group One Nunthorpe Stakes at York in the summer, and he should have too much speed on his home patch for Donnacha O'Brien's July Cup hero Comanche Brave who may just find this test too sharp.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Mick Appleby's Big Mojo gets a run, too. He's first reserve with my husband Tom (Marquand) on stand-by to ride him. It will be disappointing for everyone connected with him if he misses out.
Surprised to see Ryan on Cellini
I was surprised to see Ryan Moore on Benvenuto Cellini rather than stable companion Diamond Necklace in the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (9.36). To get so close to Daryz in the Arc was an unreal performance from the latter who does have a bad draw to overcome, while Benvenuto Cellini will undoubtedly enjoy this test.
I would love to see Jessie Harrington's Irish Champion Stakes winner Hotazhell run a big race. I don't feel this colt gets the credit he deserves for what he's achieved and finds himself at big odds again.
The Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (10.16) will be worth waiting for and I'm hoping Japan will claim the glory with the brilliant Forever Young, who is entitled to sharpen up for his comeback run at Belmont and can overcome the huge threat presented by Bill Mott's Sovereignty.
Watch the 2026 Breeders' Cup from Keeneland live on Sky Sports Racing (Sky 415 | Virgin 512) on Friday 30th and Saturday 31st October.
