FORMER jockeys John Thomas McNamara, Shane Broderick and Jonjo Bright were the subject of very positive reports this week.

All three riders suffered career-ending injuries in racing falls but they are all adapting well to their changed circumstances.

Speaking to The Irish Field this week, John Thomas McNamara said he was “in flying form” and supervising work in his livery yard every morning. “We have 14 or 15 horses here and I have lots of visitors.”

McNamara made his first visit to the races since his 2013 accident last Christmas when he travelled to nearby Limerick Racecourse to see My Hometown win for Enda Bolger and J.P. McManus. He says he continues to follow racing closely on television and was impressed with the recent Leopardstown run by On The Fringe, a horse he won two races on.

“Although he was beaten he finished well and should run a cracker in the Foxhunters at Cheltenham.”

Shane Broderick, paralysed since a fall at Fairyhouse in 1997, is also looking forward to Cheltenham where he plans to run Black Benny in a handicap chase on the Thursday of the meeting. Turf Club medical officer Dr Adrian McGoldrick reported: “Shane was in hospital for four months last summer but he’s in superb form now. I spent all last Saturday with him and he is very excited about Black Benny going to Cheltenham.”

Jonjo Bright (20) continues to amaze medical experts with his recovery from serious injuries he sustained at a point-to-point two years ago. Last July he took his first steps since his fall using a robotic ectoskeleton suit.

Dr McGoldrick said: “Jonjo is in super form. He has been home since last summer and had been going to Watford for physio one week every month. That programme is now complete and he may be starting a new regime closer to home soon.”

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