A RYEDALE physiotherapist has more interest than most in this week's Cheltenham Festival.

Richard Scarth has his own mobile therapy business which both local jockeys, along with other people in sport, use to recover their fitness.

"I've mixed with some of the best people in sport," says Richard. His list of clients is extensive and stars' names, as well as big teams roll off his tongue.

Richard started working in racing in 1990 for trainer Frankie Carr, which he did for free and used his knowledge of the body from being a boxer. Later, he took a course in remedial sport injury in order to set up his own business and get into personal training.

"It's all done through word of mouth," said Richard.

"I've worked with Scarborough football team, Dunfermline, as well as other local teams. I also work with flat racing jockeys, hurdlers and some European ones. They get a lot of shoulder and neck problems."

The Cheltenham Festival has been something of a reminder to him of how many people he has helped over the years.

"All of the horses from Ryedale, I've been out running with. People who were young apprentices when I first met them are now trainers."

Over that time, Richard has got to know his clients, and their families, well.

"To me, jockeys are the toughest men in sport. The toughest have to be Peter Niven and Lorcan Wyer. The most determined has to be Kieron Fallon after he smashed his arm, and because of what he does in the face of adversity.

"My best achievement though has to be getting Johnny Murtagh fit again after what could have been a career-threatening back injury. Working with jockeys with their weight and an injury is complex. When he returned for the Champion Stakes, he had gone from weighing 9 stone 12 to 8 stone 10 in a week."

Surprisingly though, his most touching moment is from outside the world of sport. When Richard isn't working with the big names or doing volunteer work for football teams, he works with the children at Welburn Hall School, Kirkbymoorside.

"My most touching moment was when a lad called Jamie won trophy of the week. Working with the children there is beautiful."

Updated: 14:28 Wednesday, March 16, 2005