Boys' operation a success

Last year’s Martell Grand National runner-up What’s Up Boys is continuing his rehabilitation after an operation on a leg injury.

And his trainer Philip Hobbs confirmed today that he was still hoping to get the nine-year-old back to Aintree for another crack at the world’s most famous race.

What’s Up Boys underwent surgery in mid-November for a cracked bone in his hock which he suffered when taking a crashing fall in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby in October.

That race was to have been the starting point of a campaign that would have seen What’s Up Boys campaigned in the leading staying chases this season.

But Hobbs confirmed that the operation had seemingly been a full success for his popular charge.

“He is being led out again and hopefully we will be able to get him swimming fairly soon,” he said.

“If everything goes well then we will be able to get him ready for the National again.

“If he runs, he certainly wouldn’t run beforehand. We know he goes well fresh so it wouldn’t be a problem at all.”