DARYL JACOB

Enniscorthy jockey, Daryl Jacob, will ride as a freelance jockey when he returns to racing after a full recovery from the appalling injuries he received at the Cheltenham Festival.

The number one jockey to the champion, Paul Nicholls stable, last season, has been replaced as the top jockey by Sam Twiston-Davies, and declined the number two spot, preferring to take his chances as a freelance.

“I told Daryl of the decision on Friday, when I also offered him the number two job. He then took the weekend to think it through, and he came back to me today to say that he would rather go freelance,” said Paul Nicholls, who was stressing the point that “there has been no falling out.”

Jacob and Nicholls had their greatest success together when Neptune Collenges gave them a day to remember in the 2012 Aintree Grand National.

Speaking to the Press Association, Daryl said: Paul offered me the job as number two, but at this point in my career I feel I want to go freelance, I will be available for more rides and hopefully some good rides. I’m very positive about what I am doing.”