It’s great to be back writing for Racing UK again this season, and my first column coincides with my return from almost three weeks on the sidelines.

For those that don’t know, I suffered a fall from Nicholas T at Newcastle on Good Friday. In the end I suffered concussion and bruising pretty much all over as I took a few kicks.

It could have been a lot, lot worse and I’d like to thank everyone at Newcastle Racecourse and Royal Victoria Hospital in Newcastle, who looked after me so well.

I was lucky not to break a bone or suffer more serious injury and I put that down to the fitness and conditioning I had been undergoing at Jack Berry House in Malton.

David Nolan introduced me to the House when I was suspended for a stick ban around Christmas.

I teamed up with Danny Hague, who put me through my paces and set out an excellent strength and conditioning programme at the House. He's been brilliant, both before and after the fall, and I'll try and get there as much as I can when racing permits.

Because of that work, my muscles and bones are more resistant to a fall like I had, and generally the fitter you are, the quicker you can recover.

Since the fall I’ve been back there almost every day, spending time in the hydro-pools, as well as using an ice machine which wraps freezing tubes around your legs. I must also single out Gemma Darley, daughter of Kevin, who has been a brilliant physio for me.

Jack Berry House really is an incredible place with the best technology and staff, and has aided no end my fitness over the winter and then my recovery.

There’s never a good time to be injured, but it’s been a very quiet three weeks which I’ve missed. The winter’s been hard for everyone, with horses not being able to get on the grass, and I’d say most horses are a few weeks behind where they would normally be at this time of the year.

I had three rides on Thursday which all went well and helped me get my eye back in. One to pick out was Middleham Park Racing’s Howzer Black, who was a very promising third at Newcastle. He’ll be winning races this season.

I've got the first of what will be numerous double-headers today.

I’m at Thirsk initially, where I ride Brockholes the in Adie Shaw's Half Century Handicap.

She’s been running well on the all-weather over the winter and could have a fitness advantage over these, which will be a real help, especially on what will be testing ground. She would have a small chance for sure.

John Kirkup had a cracking two-year-old season for us, winning three times, including at the Ebor Festival. I’d say the Two-Year-Old Trophy at Redcar was one race too many for him at the end of a long old season.

He’s done physically well over the winter but does carry top-weight. I spoke to his owner Kevin Kirkup yesterday, and he’s poorly in hospital. I’m desperate for a good run from John Kirkup in the Watch Racing UK In Stunning HD Handicap to hopefully provide a bit of a tonic for Kevin.

Mister Belvedere ran a blinder on his first run back at Newcastle last month and has come out of the race really well. I think he’ll run a big race in the JW 4x4 Northallerton Handicap.

I’m then off to Nottingham, where I ride Mooltazem in the Ante Post Betting At 188Bet Handicap. He’s a nice horse who has come from John Gosden and since been gelded. He’s been working well but we’ll know a lot more after this first run for us.

Rossall, who runs in the Play Roulette At 188Bet Casino Handicap, has been running some nice races without winning, and was unlucky not to win first time out and then bumped into a good one in the shape of Abel Handy at Thirsk. He should run a big race.

Finally, I’d like to sign off by wishing Pat Smullen all the best in his battle against cancer.

Not only is he a top jockey, one of the best in the world, but most importantly he’s just a top man, a real gentleman and everyone in racing is thinking of you Pat.

Paul is sponsored by Racing UK, the leading horseracing channel, which shows live HD coverage from 37 of the best UK racecourses. For more, visit racinguk.com/join