Regal Heights looks good for the forecast

By Tony McCoy

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A week's worth of sun here in Dubai seems to have worked wonders, and my recovery from a fractured vertebra is going very well. The injury is much better and, though swimming is not really my thing, I'm now walking up to five miles a day.

I understand I'm in good company on the injury list after Graham Lee fractured his jaw in two places at Huntingdon on Thursday. It goes like that - you get a spate of injuries among the leading riders - and maybe it is just me, but it appears there have been more fallers than usual of late. Why I have no idea.

Graham will be sore with that and I don't suppose he'll be chewing gum for a while, but if he's anything like me, he'll take the view that he won't die from it and he'll want to be back for Cheltenham.

When I fractured a cheek - not the same thing, obviously - the things that hurt it most were flying sods of earth.

While the pace of my life is currently slower than I'd like it to be, racing seems to be cranking up a notch now, with a lot of horses having their last outings before Cheltenham.

I can't see either Denman (2.45) or Voy Por Ustedes (2.10) coming unstuck at Newbury today. It is just of question of what will finish second to them. Regal Heights looks like he can be ridden to pick off Ollie Magern and Celestial Gold for the runner-up spot behind Denman, while I'd fancy Mahogany Blaze to follow Voy Por Ustedes home.

El Zorro (1.05) has a good each-way chance in the novice hurdle, and Mr Strachan can win the novice chase (1.35).

On my short list for the Totesport Trophy Handicap Hurdle (3.20) would be Kings Quay, back over two miles, and Blue Bajan.

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Related articles 8 February 2008: Injured Lee doubtful for Cheltenham Festival

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