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Surprise guest at Cheltenham Racecourse when the weights for the ten Festival handicaps were revealed was champion jockey Tony McCoy, who hopes to return to the saddle this weekend after his much publicised back injury.

McCoy had been riding out at nearby Jackdaws Castle, home of trainer Jonjo O'Neill, as he stepped up his fitness before returning to race action.

He said: "I'd like to get back as soon as possible, but it's down to BHA medical officer Dr Michael Turner, who I believe isn't too keen on me riding again too soon before Cheltenham.

"It's something I will have to sort out over the next few days, I definitely want to take a certain number of rides before the festival."

The champion jockey, with 19 wins to date, is the most successful current jockey at the festival since partnering Kibreet to success in the 1996 Grand Annual Chase.

The record breaking rider has gone on to land a further 18 successes with two of his greatest triumphs coming in 1997, through a rare big race double aboard Mr Mulligan in the Gold Cup and Make a Stand in the Champion Hurdle two days earlier.

The 2006 Festival saw McCoy ride three winners including Brave Inca in the Champion Hurdle, but he had to wait for the final day for a winner at last years Festival when Wichita Lineman scored in the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle.

McCoy is followed by Mick Fitzgerald and Ruby Walsh with 14 winners apiece.

After the weights for the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase were revealed Lambourn trainer Nicky Henderson was disappointed that the handicapper had been so lenient on his charge My Petra.

Having won the race staged in memory of his father with Greenhope a couple of years ago, he now faces a wait to see if the mare gets in the race off her low weight.

However Henderson is still likely to have three runners in the race in Greenhope Crozan and All Star.

Trainer Paul Nicholls picked out Dear Villez as well handicapped in the Jewson Novices Handicap Chase while Alan King opted for Squadron in the Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle.

The David Pipe trained An Accordian, ante post favourite for the William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase has been allotted 10st 8lb while the 2007 winner Joes Edge has 10st 2lb to carry, 4lb lless than he carried to victory last year.

The high class Lough Derg from the Pipe yard has 11st 12lb in the Coral Cup, 9lb clear of the field while stablemate Comply Or Die will carry 12st 8 if he lines up for the Kim Muir Handicap Chase.

The Paul Nicholls trained Ornais has 11st 10 lb in the Jewson Novices Handicap Chase.

9:47am Thursday 6th March 2008

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