Grand National-winning jockey Graham Lee is to ride full-time on the Flat.
Lee, speaking on Racing UK, cited weight issues as the primary reason for the switch, in that he has always found it a struggle to put on enough weight to ride over jumps.
Winner of the National in 2004 on Amberleigh House, Lee has ridden five Cheltenham Festival winners, including a treble on Inglis Drever, No Refuge and Arcalis in 2005.
Lee, currently sidelined after a fall at Southwell on 15 February, said: "I'm going to concentrate on riding on the Flat. I've always had to work very hard keeping weight on me with training and it's just fallen off me since the latest fall that I took at Southwell.
"I got home from the hospital and I was 9st 12lb and I got on the scales this morning and I was 8st 12lb, so I've took a stone off in just over five weeks."
"I can't really face the gym to get a stone back on me, so I'm going to go Flat racing."
Lee went on: "I love riding over jumps and I always have done.
"I got a fall at Huntingdon in 2008 and suffered quite a bad head injury. I actually thought about it then, because I had to work so hard at being a stone above my fighting weight.
"But when that fall occurred I was second to AP (McCoy) in the championship, who was off with a broken back at the time.
"I was 20 (winners) behind him and that was the main reason why I came back, because I was dreaming of a championship.
"I got back in the gym and got all the weight back on and went back jumping.
"Then last December I broke my collarbone and was parked up on the sofa for a couple of weeks. Then when that started to heal, I got back in the gym, got the weight back on again and then I had the fall in Southwell."
Lee's agent Richard Hale will continue to represent the jockey on the Flat.
Hale said: "I suppose I'm not surprised it's something he has decided to do as he has never had a problem with his weight - he made himself heavier and bulked up in order to ride over jumps anyway.
"He always fancied the Flat and with the injury problem he's had, he has lost weight and now seemed the sensible time to give it a go."
Hale, who is based near Penrith in Cumbria, represents many of the top northern riders under both codes and is responsible for champion jockey Paul Hanagan and the likes of Tom Eaves on the level.
"I think I've got a stronger network on the Flat these days anyway so hopefully I'll get him rides," he added.
Despite all the falls, Lee, 36, insists a full retirement from the saddle never crossed his mind.
He said: "There is no way in the world am I ready to give up.
"I'm as competitive as ever and that thought never entered by head for a second.
"The sport is definitely starting to catch up with other sports (fitness-wise) and I have a great fitness coach, Chris Barnes, who is involved in the Premier League.
"I have a great team of people around me, I don't drink, I don't smoke and I look after myself well.
"As the years have gone by I've had to work fractionally harder in the gym to keep my weight at 9st 11lb, 9st 12lb.
"Although I'm a stone lighter than I was five weeks ago, I'm eating well and I'm not sweating.
"I'm exercising every morning on the bike and I feel really good at the minute. I cannot wait to get at it."
Lee has not made any firm plans regarding which trainers he will be riding for, although he plans to remain in the north and hopes to be back on the racecourse by the end of April
He said: "I've been in contact throughout this injury with Dr Turner (British Horseracing Authority chief medical advisor) and he said last night that as long as my recovery keeps going as it's going, I should be back in the last week of April.
"Riding out is a bit up in the air at the minute, but I'm going to be showing my face in as many places as want to see my face.
"Who is my first ride going to be for? I haven't a clue. But a couple of trainers have phoned me to say they'll support me, so that's a great start."
Lee has ridden on the Flat before, winning a couple of jumps jockeys versus Flat jockeys races at Hamilton, so he knows what is required.
He said: "There's obviously quite a big difference in riding in a three-mile chase round Hexham and a five-furlong sprint at Thirsk or Ripon, but you listen to the ride and you listen to the horse. I'll adapt pretty quick.
"I'm really looking forward to it and I'm going to give it 110%.
"I got a great kick out of those two victories at Hamilton and for the last five years, AP McCoy has said I'm off my rocker to be riding over jumps, because I'm smaller than most of them.
"I spoke to my agent Richard Hale, who has been so supportive, as has my wife, who is buzzing as hopefully it means less broken bones!
"I went to see Ferdy (Murphy) and he was very supportive and backed my decision to the hilt.
"I've spoken to Phillip Makin, Niall Hannity and Kevin Darley and they've all said the same thing - it's a no-brainer."
