Boys back on track

What’s Up Boys, off the track since injuring a hock at Wetherby 18 months ago, is on course to return to action next month as he starts his build-up for another crack at the Martell Cognac Grand National.

The Philip Hobbs-trained grey, winner of the 2001 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup, was runner-up to Bindaree in the Grand National two years ago and is quoted at 25-1 by William Hill for the April 3 contest.

Hobbs said: “He’s back cantering and seems well and the main aim is the National.

“He won’t run until the second half of February and I’d like to give him a couple of races before Aintree.”

What’s Up Boys is a top priced 66-1 shot for the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup but Hobbs added: “It wouldn’t be ideal in that this year there is a shorter gap between the Gold Cup and the National.

“Only if he happened to bolt up in his comeback race would I consider taking him for that race at Cheltenham.”

One invalid from the stable, who will not be returning to action this season, is One Knight.

Last year’s Royal & SunAlliance Chase winner also sustained a hock injury when falling at the first fence in the Hennessy at Newbury in November.

Hobbs said: “We found he’d broken a bone and had to have a chip removed which means he won’t be able to run until next year.”