Casey gets the all clear for Snowy Morning ride
Casey, who is due to partner the Willie Mullins-trained Snowy Morning at Aintree, parted company from the ill-fated An Cathaoir Mor at the penultimate fence of the Arkle Bar Novice Handicap Chase.
The rider was feared to have suffered a fractured pelvis and was taken to the James Connolly Memorial Hospital in Blanchardstown, but subsequent X-rays revealed he had not sustained a break.
He saw a doctor yesterday morning and could be back in action today after the problem was diagnosed as related to an old injury.
Casey said: “I’m a little bit sore, but I’m a great deal better than I was on Sunday, which is fantastic. There was no break.”
Snowy Morning has been backed with Coral and is now 16-1 from 20-1 with the Barking-based firm.
Meanwhile, Paul Carberry feels King Johns Castle could be in the shape to replicate his second-place finish in the 2008 Grand National.
Carberry said: “He seems in the same form as he was a couple of years ago. I went down to ride him a couple of weeks ago, we popped over a few fences and he felt fine. Hopefully he’ll give me a good ride round.”
Phil Smith, head of handicapping at the British Horseracing Authority,
believes a number of horses are well treated in the race, including the Dessie Hughes-trained pair of Vic Venturi and Black Apalachi.
“I would raise Vic Venturi 8lb and Black Apalachi would go up 5lb, they were first and second in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse and were miles clear of the rest,” Smith said. “Big Fella Thanks would be 5lb higher now as well, Eric’s Charm would be 6lb higher, Arbor Supreme is 5lb well-in and The Package is 6lb well-in.
“Chief Dan George is actually 12lb well-in but at the moment, it looks as though he’s unlikely to get a run. I’m very happy with the race. Madison Du Berlais in my view is an incredibly good top weight.
“He’s finished in front of Kauto Star and has some real class performances on his CV. Last year’s winner (Mon Mome) is second top-weight and then you have a couple of Becher Chase winners.”
Howard Johnson remains in a quandary over his likely running plans. Although Belon Gale is virtually certain to miss the cut, the Durham handler could still be doubly represented by Abbeybraney and Royal Rosa.
Abbeybraney is guaranteed a runhaving sneaked in at number 40following the confirmation stage, but Royal Rosa, who Johnson has described as his main hope, still needs three to come out. “The one I really want to run is Royal Rosa and he still needs a few to come out,” said Johnson.
“We’ll have to play it by ear but if it looks as though Royal Rosa is just going to miss the cut by one, I’ll have to take Abbeybraney out.
“Abbeybraney pulled his stifle out coming down the hill at Cheltenham last time, but he’s fine now.
“Both the horses are really well. I took them down to the sea at Redcar the other day and they loved it. If they both get in on Saturday they’ll both run but if they don’t, the other would probably go for the Scottish National along with Killyglen.”
With stable jockey Denis O’Regan booked to ride leading fancy Black Apalachi for Dessie Hughes, Johnson has had to look elsewhere to sort out his riding arrangements.
“Denis rides Black Apalachi on Saturday and couldn’t do the weight on either of my two anyway,” Johnsoncontinued.
“Wilson Renwick will ride one of them and if both of mine get in then I’ll give Ryan Mania his first ride in the National, as he’s a good kid.”
The weights for Saturday’s contest will remain the same after connections of Madison Du Berlais confirmed he will take his chance under the welter burden of 11st 10lb.
Chester Barnes, assistant to trainer David Pipe, said: “It has been decided that Madison Du Berlais will head for a crack at the John Smith’s GrandNational.
“Tom Scudamore will partner our nine-year-old in the showpiece after schooling him over our National fences at home, he jumped very well and everyone could not be more pleased with his preparation.”
While confirming jockey plans for some of Pipe’s other National contenders, Barnes conceded Timmy Murphy still faces a tough decision whether to ride 2008 winner and last year’s runner-up Comply Or Die or The Package.
“There is still no decision just yet as to which horse Timmy Murphy will ride in the Grand National,” Barnes told www.davidpipe.com.
“It is a very hard decision to make. Do you ride Comply Or Die, a previous winner and runner-up of the biggest race in the world, or do you go for talented The Package, who was runner-up at the Festival last month but obviously making his debut over the larger fences?
“A seven-year-old has not won the Grand National since 1940 and although it is a very good choice to have, it is also a very hard one. Pablo Du Charmil will be ridden by Danny Cook and Johnny Farrelly rides Piraya.
“We also have Cheltenham Festival runner up Faasel and Over the Creek engaged in the race at the moment, but both of these need a few horses to come out to get a run.”
