Davy Russell has ruled himself out of making a return to the saddle at next week's Punchestown Festival.
The multiple Irish champion jockey and two-time Grand National winner has been out of action since suffering vertebrae fractures in a fall at the Munster National last October.
Russell had been hoping to be back for Punchestown but he'll sit out the festival as he's not yet fully fit.
“I have run out of time to make my return to the saddle in Punchestown next week," the Cork rider confirmed in his Star Racing blog.
“My recovery continues to go really well and to be honest I feel great. I’ve been riding out and schooling regularly and could have given next week a shot. However, I’m not quite 100% ready and I always vowed I’d only return at that point.
“I’ve still got a tiny bit of discomfort that restricts full flexibility and I’m just not where I want to be to return on the biggest of stages.
“I mentioned when ruling myself out of the Cheltenham Festival that you have to be 100% fit to ride the likes of Envoi Allen and I stand by that. I’ll continue to work hard on my recovery and will target a less high-profile meeting for that return.”
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