Whitaker back in the saddle

The highlight of the four-day Hickstead Peugeot Derby meeting which opened at Douglas Bunn's Sussex showground this morning will be the Derby next Sunday afternoon.

Last year, John Whitaker and Virtual Village Welham triumphed in an exciting jump-off.

Despite rumours that the 21-year-old gelding would be retired, the pair are back and hope to defend their title.

Whitaker, who had brain surgery following a cerebral haemorrhage last December said: "I don't want to overtire him. I plan to start him in a small class today, the Derby Trial tomorrow and then take a final decision."