CHAMPION jockey Tony McCoy, who lives near Marlborough, makes his return to action for a Wiltshire-based trainer, at Fontwell on Wednesday after a couple of weeks on the sidelines through injury.

McCoy will ride Southfield Royale for Limpley Stoke's Neil Mulholland in the Free Tips At raceclear.co.uk Novices' Hurdle.

The Angela Yeoman-owned four-year-old won on his only other racecourse appearance, in a bumper at Market Rasen under McCoy in June.

"Tony won his bumper on him and was keen to ride him again," said Mulholland.

"He's a nice horse, hopefully, and he won his bumper well.

"He's schooled well and home and hopefully he can be competitive.

"He's the only horse I have for Mrs Yeoman - she doesn't live too far from me - so I hope he's a good one."

The 19-times champion jockey was initially sidelined for a short spell after taking a crashing fall from at Worcester on October 9, but aggravated an old rib injury at Exeter earlier this month.

He rode at Chepstow the following day, but finally decided to take a couple of weeks off to fully recuperate.

McCoy was keen to be back in action before the Hennessy meeting at Newbury this weekend where he will be reunited with World Hurdle winner More Of That.