Gallagher set for return

Gallagher was victorious in the 2002 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham

Jockey Dean Gallagher is set to make a return to riding as stable jockey to French trainer Francois Doumen.

Gallagher was banned for 18 months in November 2002 after testing positive for cocaine.

He was told by the Jockey Club that he would not be able to reapply for his licence again until 1 May this year.

But the 35-year-old is now set to return to the saddle at Vichy in France next Saturday after the French authorities gave him a licence.

However, Gallagher will also need clearance from the Jockey Club to resume racing in Britain but their director of public relations John Maxse does not envisage any problems.

"Dean Gallagher has been to see our licensing committee with a view to him riding again and there aren't any obstacles to him riding again in Britain," he said.

The Irish-born rider enjoyed a successful career which included wins aboard Hors La Loi III in the 2002 Champion Hurdle and Couldnt Be Better in the 1995 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup.

Gallagher's opportunity came after Francois Doumen's son Thierry was forced to retire recently after shoulder surgery.

Doumen ends riding career

Gallagher has ridden for Doumen in the past and the Frenchman is delighted to link up with him again.

"If everything is OK with his licence he will ride for me next Saturday at Vichy," he said.

"I spent the morning with him the other day and his attitude impressed me.

"He's a jockey who has lived through a difficult time and this is a big challenge for him but he's a battler. He wants to fight back and prove himself," he said.

Since hanging up his boots at the end of 2002, Gallagher has enjoyed a successful period as a television pundit and has recently been working for trainer Richard Hannon.