Bobbyjo is confirmed for Sandown

The Aintree Grand National hero Bobbyjo is on course to pick up a £50,000 bonus if successful in Saturday's Whitbred Gold Cup…

The Aintree Grand National hero Bobbyjo is on course to pick up a £50,000 bonus if successful in Saturday's Whitbred Gold Cup at Sandown.

Trainer Tommy Carberry has confirmed that Bobbyjo will travel to England to try to complete a big race double last completed by Mr Frisk in 1990.

"We haven't done much with him since Aintree other than popping him over a few hurdles, but he is in good shape," Carberry has said.

Bobbyjo has been made 5 to 1 favourite with Corals for the three mile and five furlong chase, which could also feature Boss Doyle from Ireland.

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Mouse Morris is waiting to see how much the weights rise before deciding if Boss Doyle, who hasn't run since February's Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown, will run.

"It all depends on what weight he will have. If it's less than 11 st, then that will be fine. We'd also like goodish ground," Morris said.

Meanwhile, the English challenge for Punchestown took further shape yesterday with Direct Route confirmed a runner in the BMW Chase next Tuesday, the first day of the four-day festival.

Trainer Howard Johnson hopes to double up on his stable star's Aintree success and Norman Williamson will again ride.

Nicky Henderson is hoping to run Big Matt again in the BMW, and is also reported to have the Triumph Hurdle winner Katarino on target for the IAWS Champion Juvenile Hurdle.

Ferdy Murphy intends sending Saturday's Ayr winner Ballinclay King for the Paddy Power Champion Bumper and Dr Bones for the Sean Barrett Chase, while David Nicholson's usual strong team will be headed by Anzum and Escartefigue.

Trainer Susan Nock has expressed her disappointment at not having the services of banned jockey Graham Bradley for her popular grey Senor El Betrutti in Saturday's Gold Cup. The absence of Bradley, who last Tuesday was charged with conspiracy to cheat by allegedly "pulling" Man Mood in a race at Warwick, together with the retirement of Jamie Osborne who also boasts a fine record on the gelding, means Nock has had to turn to jockeys agent Dave Roberts to find a rider for Senor El Betrutti.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column