Paul Carberry is confident he will be reunited with Bobbyjo for a repeat bid in Saturday week's Martell Aintree Grand National, but the jockey will have to pass an MRI scan on Monday before getting the green light.
The MRI scan, an extensive internal examination for any soft tissue damage, will be taken by an independent orthopaedic consultant for the Turf Club's medical officer, Dr Walter Halley. Carberry aggravated a back injury (sustained while hunting) when winning on Sausalito Bay at the start of the Cheltenham festival, and he underwent extensive physiotherapy before taking the Gold Cup ride on Florida Pearl. After that, he cried off his remaining festival rides and hasn't been in action since.
"The haematoma is the main thing and that's gone down a bit," Carberry said yesterday. "I should be okay for Liverpool, and while it's a bit annoying not being able to ride this week, it's probably no harm really." Bobbyjo and Carberry became the first Irish winners of the world's most famous race in 24 years when scoring in the Grand National last year, and are a best priced 11 to 1 second favourites to retain their crown next week.
Dr Halley, however, stressed yesterday that Carberry's participation depends on the scan, and emphasised his decision not to allow the jockey ride until the results of the scan are known.
"I see nothing to be gained in allowing him to ride beforehand and then possibly seeing something sinister on the scan which would force him to stop again," Halley said. "The scan will visualise exactly the details of the injury involved and we do need clarification of the injury. It will be the consultant's decision. We all want Paul back 110 per cent fit, but decisions have to be taken in the rider's best interests and in the interests of the betting public," he added.
The other main Irish interest in the Grand National surrounds the general 16 to 1 shot Micko's Dream, who will be Willie Mullins' first National runner and his sole representative at the Aintree festival.
Micko's Dream, owned by a syndicate comprised of prison officers based throughout Ireland, pulled a muscle a fortnight ago and missed some days, but is now back in full work.
The Thyestes winner is also something of a soft ground specialist, which is ominous considering the Aintree executive are already debating whether to water the track which is already on the fast side of good.
"Obviously Micko's Dream is a softer ground horse, but the going on the Grand National track itself is always nice and I think he'll handle it okay," OK," said Mullins yesterday.
The trainer also confirmed the rest of his high class string will be kept for the Fairyhouse and Punchestown festivals.
Officials at Aintree have yesterday announced that the course for the Grand National will only be watered if conditions are likely to be "significantly faster than good".
The going is good, good to soft in places on the National course and there had been speculation that the track would be watered this week, much to the dismay of trainers with fast-ground horses in the race.
