Racing: Murphy makes emotional return to the saddle

Timmy Murphy has proved his courage over fences but must now show even greater fortitude to overcome the drinking habit that has become a looming threat to his career as a National Hunt jockey.

The 27-year-old Irishman returns to the saddle at Stratford tomorrow in the knowledge that this, even if the expression is not particularly apposite, is his last chance saloon.

It had been a fruitful season for Murphy until he boarded a return flight from Japan last month after partnering Cenkos in the Nakayama Grand Jump. The journey culminated in Murphy's arrest for allegedly assaulting a woman flight attendant. He was bailed earlier this month at Uxbridge Magistrates Court and is due to reappear there on 13 June for a committal hearing. The jolt of the arrest led Murphy to seek help about his drinking problems. The plain fact is that alcohol and the jockey simply do not mix. That Murphy himself has now acknowledged the problem appears to be the first step on the road to rehabilitation.

"I am pleased to be returning to riding and I am looking forward to building on last season's best-ever total of 98 winners," he said yesterday. "During the past five weeks I have been receiving treatment for alcohol-related problems and I am very grateful to all those who have helped me to get back to a position where I feel confident to return to riding."