ROBERT Winston was back in York today after cheating death in a horror fall from his horse at a Scottish racecourse.

The Irish-born jockey, who lives in Huntington, returned to the city yesterday after being released from hospital following treatment for a double fracture of his upper and lower jaw.

The 25-year-old underwent emergency surgery to insert metal plates in his jaw.

Mr Winston is lucky to have escaped an even more serious injury in the accident while riding at Ayr in the 8pm race on Saturday. After falling off Pearl's A Singer, Mr Winston was kicked in the face by the chasing Tonight.

He will probably take the rest of the flat racing season to recover - dashing his hopes of winning the Jockey's Championship.

He was leading the competition with 98 winners until the accident, which saw him taken to Crosshouse Hospital, in nearby Kilmarnock.

Mr Winston's agent, Richard Hale, told the Evening Press his client had been released from hospital, but was still in "a great deal of pain".

Mr Hale said: "Everything went well during the operation and he feels okay at the moment, although he is still very sore.

"He is in a bit of pain at the moment as he has had some metal plates inserted, but he is a lot better than he was. He is as well as can be expected."

Mr Hale said Mr Winston was unlikely to race again this year, but was in good spirits and relieved, given the seriousness of the fall.

Mr Winston was assisted by fellow jockey Neil Callan following the horrific tumble.

Mr Callan said: "I saw Robert was on the floor so I went to lie down next to him.

"I put my hand on his leg to give him some reassurance that someone he knew was there.

"I explained to him that help was on its way and that it was best for him to keep still.

"When the paramedics arrived they put a neck brace on him, but he kept on trying to lift his hand up and attempted to get up. I again told him not to move so he could allow the paramedics to do their job.

"I couldn't see how badly his face was damaged as there was a lot of blood.

"The paramedics kept a suction tube in his mouth to remove the blood as quickly as possible.

"He looked like he was in a lot of pain, but the main thing is that he's all right."

Updated: 09:53 Wednesday, August 10, 2005