Ross Brady gave a tremendous boost to Monarchs' prospects of progression in the Young Shield when he ignored medical advice and declared that he would ride against Exeter in the Young Shield on Friday.
Brady injured his left arm at Exeter on Monday. After three spectacular wins, Ross fell in his fourth ride and was forced to retire from his fifth ride. He went to hospital and an X-ray revealed that nothing was broken. The arm was badly bruised and he was advised to take some time off.
Brady commented in the Edinburgh Evening News:
"I was advised to take a fortnight off but I'm not going to do that because I want to race on Friday. I may be taking a risk but I take risks anyway. Another one won't make any difference."
Apart from Brady and Peter Carr only Gary Phelps really performed. Carr won the last two heats to give the score a more respectable look than it might have been. Brady was shocked at the scale of the defeat and the 28 point deficit but feels that an aggregate win is not out of the question.
"I think we can do it. But we have got to get it right from the start and rattle in a few 5-1s."
The task against Exeter may be daunting but without Brady it would be near to impossible. Had Brady been unable to make it, rider replacement would have been used giving an extra ride to Kevin Little, Justin Elkins and the two reserves.