Racing: Lower almost ready for a track return

Jonothan Lower is expected to make his return to race-riding after a tortuous 18-month absence at Market Rasen on Boxing Day. In doing so he will become the first insulin- dependent diabetic to ride under horse-racing Rules.

The 30-year-old's riding licence was revoked by the Jockey Club when he was diagnosed as being diabetic in June 1996. After succeeding in forcing a change of policy from Portman Square, Lower was cleared to make his comeback in October, only to suffer a hairline fracture to his leg in a schooling accident.

Now the jockey describes himself as "80%" ready to make his return. "That is what I am planning, probably on Totally Yours at Market Rasen," Lower said yesterday. "But I am not 100% at the moment and I want to be 110% on the day.

"If it is not 100% I am not going to ride. I have waited this long, it would be stupid to come back if I am not right."