Big day for ... Jamie Mackay.

JAMIE MACKAY, who has not ridden since January 2008, makes his comeback at Southwell this evening, confident he has regained his hunger for the job.

Mackay, 26, who partners Yanbu for Russell Price in tonight's 6.40 race, chose to take a self-imposed sabbatical from the sport before he received a 60-day ban when found guilty of breaching the non-trier rule twice in the space of 13 days.

On both occasions, the horse in question was Granakey - a case that resulted in trainer Michael Wigham being fined pounds 20,000.

The ban proved the final straw for Mackay, who had already become disillusioned with how his career - one that had produced nearly 300 winners since he started out as an apprentice at 16 - was progressing.

"I was struggling a bit and, with the suspension on top, I decided I needed to take some time out to rekindle my hunger and get some enthusiasm back," he said yesterday.

"I feel I have done that and really want to give it another go. I have put on a bit of weight, but I can still do 7st 12lb."

Mackay, who comes from a racing family - younger brother Nicky, father Allan and grandfather Eric Aldin are or have been jockeys - has kept fit riding out for Ed Dunlop and considered returning last winter when he was offered a job in Greece He added: "I'm freelancing and I know it will be difficult, but I plan to ride out for whoever I can. I'm sure my agent Lee Newton will be doing his best to get me going again."

Graham Green