JOCKEY Robert Thornton is on course to surprise medical experts by making a quicker-than-expected return from a serious injury.

The Guiting Power rider was initially told he faced up to 12 months out of action after shattering his knee in a racecourse incident at Newton Abbot on July 5.

But the 32-year-old has since made excellent progress and following his latest visit to surgeon Jonathan Webb, the ex-England rugby star, he could return early next year for the last four months of the season.

Trainer Alan King, for whom Thornton rides as stable jockey, is delighted with the recovery he is making.

"The surgeon was very pleased with the way in which the knee has improved following the physio, and Choc is able to do away with the crutches and the other support," said King.

"He will carry on with the physio and is able to do a little bit more each time, but it is a case of 'so far so good' and, while he will know more when he next visits Jonathan Webb, it seems that he might yet return for the second half of the season, which has been his target all along.

"That is smashing news, and he is clearly going the right way."

Thornton damaged medial and cruciate ligaments in his right knee after his mount Hell's Bay crashed through the wings of a fence.

His lower leg was twisted sideways, meaning the ligaments in the knee were pulled apart.

He was "devastated" after being told of the extent of the injury at the time, but hoped to be back in six months following surgery.

Webb used ligament from Thornton's hamstring and the middle of his patella and six screws to fix the knee.

If the knee continues to heal well, it is likely Thornton will be fit to ride at the Cheltenham Festival in March, which will be a major boost.

He has already ridden 15 winners at the showpiece meeting, notably the 2006 World Hurdle on My Way De Solzen, the 2007 Queen Mother Champion Chase on Voy Por Ustedes and the 2007 Champion Hurdle on Katchit.

He rode a career-best 119 winners in the 2008-09 campaign.