WAYNE Lordan put in a welcome appearance last weekend at Dundalk Stadium where he rode work before racing and he says he is getting close to making a return to race-riding.

Lordan has been off the track since taking a nasty fall in the Irish Derby at the Curragh almost eight months ago. He fractured his elbow and both legs and sustained a significant flesh wound. He also suffered a head injury which he says was the biggest hurdle he faced and needed the appropriate time to heal.

“It was the worst fall I have had in my 26 years as a jockey,” he said. “I don’t know exactly how it happened when I fell. To be honest, I haven’t looked back at the incident, and I won’t be, it’s onwards and upwards now.”

Lordan was initially admitted to Tallaght Hospital and began his road to recovery at Beaumont Hospital. Once discharged and back at home in Co Tipperary, he began a physio programme as an out-patient in Cork, did plenty of weights and gym work, and attended RACE where strength and conditioning coach Wayne Middleton gave him an exercise programme to build back up his muscle mass.

“Everything has gone well and I feel fit and strong,” he reported this week. “I’ve been back riding out and riding work since January 3rd. Realistically, the target has always been the start of the new season but it would be nice to get a few spins on the all-weather before the turf starts on March 18th. There is nothing better than race-riding itself to bring you to peak fitness and I’m really looking forward to it.”

At Dundalk last weekend Lordan rode the Group 3 winner Henry Adams in a piece of work with the year-older Auguste Rodin, who is being aimed at the Dubai Sheema Classic next month.