RICHARD Hughes has been given the green light to return to race-riding at Sandown on Friday.

The champion jockey has been sidelined since Dubai World Cup night at Meydan last month after suffering a fractured vertebra in a nasty fall from the Mike de Kock-trained Mars in the Sheema Classic.

Although he did not require surgery, he has been forced to spend a few weeks on the sidelines and will undoubtedly be itching to get his Flat season up and running.

His wife, Lizzie Hughes, said on Twitter: "@hughesiejockey got the all clear from the doctor this morning which is great news, back riding on Friday."

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