DEREK FOX is thrilled to be making his competitive comeback at Carlisle just three days before taking the ride on One For Arthur in the Randox Health Grand National.

Fox, who took over as stable jockey at trainer Lucinda Russell's Kinross yard following the retirement of Peter Buchanan, has been in the saddle for One For Arthur's two wins this season, with the pair most recently winning in the Classic Chase at Warwick in January.

The young rider has been sidelined by injury since suffering a fall at Carlisle on March 9, but returns to the saddle with two rides at the Cumbria circuit on Wednesday.

Fox said: "It's great to be back and all going well the plan is to have four rides before the National.

"I've two rides at Carlisle and then I'm riding Imjoeking in the Topham over the National fences on Friday.

"I've also got a ride for Mark McNiff in the race before the National on Saturday, which is great.

"It will be good to have another ride to look forward to rather than waiting for one ride all day."

Fox admits that it did cross his mind that he might miss the ride on One For Arthur, who is a best-priced 14-1 for the National.

But after returning to work over the weekend, he was reunited with big-race mount for a schooling session yesterday morning.

"I suppose for the first two weeks after the fall you're a little bit worried as you're not sure how quickly you're going to heal," said the jockey.

"After two weeks I kind of knew it was going well as the soreness had gone, but it is a little bit nerve-racking as at the end of the day the doctor has the final say.

"I had to go to Jack Berry House in Malton on Monday to see the doctor there and he passed me no bother. I'm 100 per cent sound and I'm just looking forward to getting back now.

"I schooled One For Arthur and he went really well. Lucinda was delighted with him.

"He definitely goes there with a big chance and you just have to hope you get a bit of luck on the day and everything goes well."

Asked to recall his earliest National memory, the 24-year-old Sligo native raised the unforgettable success of Red Marauder in 2001.

Richard Guest's mount came home a distance clear of the only other horse to put in a clear round, Smarty.

Blowing Wind and Papillon were remounted before finishing third and fourth under Sir Tony McCoy and Ruby Walsh respectively.

Fox said: "Probably one of the first Nationals I remember was the year there was only four finishers. There were actually only two finishers and another two were remounted.

"I wouldn't have been very old at the time, but I remember thinking what a gruelling race it must be for 40 horses to start and only four to finish.

"Hopefully we won't have a race like that this year.

"It would be incredible to win it."