JOCKEY Robert Thornton is hoping to make his comeback from injury tomorrow, writes Jonathan Herbert.

He feels fit enough to return to race-riding and was today only awaiting official clearance from the racing authorities.

Thornton, top trainer Alan King's stable jockey, has been sidelined since fracturing three vertebrae in his back and being badly bruised in a fall at Leicester on January 26.

After the incident the 31-year-old was taken to hospital and detained overnight, prompting fears he could miss next month's Cheltenham Festival.

But only a fortnight later, Thornton is ready to start racing again.

"Basically it's about pain management and what you can cope with – it's fine," he said.

"I've been working in the gym every day and it's not like I've been sat around doing nothing.

"I did some schooling at Alan's this morning and last Thursday as well.

"I'd have been riding at the weekend if they'd let me."

Thornton, who lives in Guiting Power, has plenty of good rides for King to look forward to this week.

They include JCB Triumph Hurdle favourite Mille Chief at Huntingdon on Thursday and two-times Cheltenham Festival winner Voy Por Ustedes at Newbury on Saturday.

"The ground's going to be an issue for Voy Por, but he's got to run somewhere," said Thornton.

As one of the top jockeys in Britain, Thornton will ride some of the best horses in the country at the Festival.

He has had 15 winners at the meeting and was leading jockey in 2007.