MIDDLEHAM jockey Henry Brooke finished fourth on his first ride back at Catterick on Wednesday, just seven weeks after being placed in an induced coma.

The 25-year-old fell from Old Storm at the second fence of a two-and-a-half-mile handicap chase at Hexham on October 8 and was also kicked by another horse when he hit the ground.

Racing was delayed for almost two hours while he was treated by on-course medical staff before he could be airlifted to the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle.

But the rider has made a swift recovery and returned aboard the Martin Todhunter-trained Sophie Olivia in the Racing Again 13th December Intermediate Open National Hunt Flat Race, which was won impressively by Getaway Whiskey.

Brooke's biggest win came when riding Highland Lodge in the Becher Chase at Aintree a year ago this weekend and the promise of teaming up with that horse again helped to speed his recovery.

"It was seven weeks ago and they placed me in a coma," Brooke told me on Racing UK.

"I broke nine ribs, punctured a lung and chipped a bit of bone off my right scapula. I got a proper bashing. I was in hospital just a week and then I discharged myself as I'd already lost a stone. I've put that back on already.

"I got myself straight into Jack Berry House and without it I wouldn't have been back this quick. It's an unbelievable facility. I was there for three weeks solid; you can stay there like a hotel and it did me the world of good.

"Firstly I was aiming to come back on the 20th, but that wasn't realistic, and then the Becher Chase looked the logical aim.

"Jimmy Moffatt said all the way through that if I made it back, the ride was mine and that was the perfect motivation. I owe him a thank you.

"I've always ridden for Martin Todhunter and when he had a runner today, he said I could ride it. He's a big supporter of mine through the summer.

"I'm hoping to ride one for Donald McCain in the Grand Sefton, too."

Speaking on his way back into the weighing room, Brooke added: "That felt good, I feel fine. I'm fit enough, I just need to get that race fitness, which will come in time.

"I've got three rides tomorrow and I can't wait for the weekend. It will be nice to just get back to normal with no fuss.

"I went to ride Highland Lodge the other day and he felt really good, better than he ever felt last year."

While Brooke has had to lie low during November, it was the opposite for Brian Hughes, who notched up his 31st success of the month on Nortonthorpelegend, also at Catterick.

The highlight of the month was undoubtedly a five-timer at Musselburgh, but there have been several other days of note, including a four-timer at Sedgefield and good wins for the likes of Cloudy Dream and Oscar Rock.

His winning run has not gone unnoticed either, as he has picked up the ride on Grand National runner-up The Last Samuri in tomorrow's Becher Chase.

"That's my 31st winner. I can't believe how well it's going," said Hughes.

"If someone said December would be half as good, I'd take that.

"It all really started with the rearranged Musselburgh meeting; there were seven races, I got seven rides, had five winners and two seconds.

"My agent, Richard Hale, has been doing an amazing job."

The Rebecca Menzies-trained Nortonthorpelegend (11-8 favourite) had only won eight days ago and is now set for a break.

"He's had three quick runs now and that told in his jumping; he wasn't as clean as he can be," she said.

"We'll give him a break and look after him this year. He's a horse for next year when something like the Borders National will be the aim.

"He's due to go up 9lb, so we'll freshen him up and maybe look at the North Yorkshire Grand National back here. I don't think the ground bothers him whatever it is."