Carberry keen on Gunner chances

Nina Carberry is looking forward to partnering Forest Gunner in the totesport Becher Chase at Aintree on Sunday.

Carberry comes in for the plum ride aboard the sponsor’s 7-1 favourite as Carrie Ford, whose husband Richard trains the 11-year-old, has retired from the saddle.

Peter Buchanan rode the Gunner B gelding twice last year but he has been claimed to ride Strong Resolve for Lucinda Russell.

“I can’t wait, I’m looking forward to it and I think it’s a wonderful opportunity,” said Carberry, whose brother Paul won the Grand National on Bobbyjo in 1999.

“It’s great to get the chance to ride him and I’m very happy.

“I’m very privileged to take the ride from Carrie and grateful to Richard, who is confident about his chances.”

Forest Gunner has won eight of his 20 outings over obstacles, including an eight-length victory in the 2004 Fox Hunters’ Chase at Aintree.

Although Sunday’s three-mile-three-furlong event represents a significant step up in trip from that success, Ford’s charge has already shown his appetite for marathon distances – and the daunting Aintree fences – when he finished fifth behind Hedgehunter in this year’s Grand National.

Carberry teamed up with the chestnut last Friday morning and issued an upbeat message ahead of the £100,000 (€147,000) contest.

“I rode him out last week and he seemed in good form,” she added.

“I also popped him over a few fences and he jumped them well so it’s looking good.

“He won the Fox Hunters’ there last year so I can’t see why he wouldn’t have a good chance on Sunday.”

The 21-year-old rider has yet to discuss tactics with Mrs Ford but will liaise with the former jockey when they walk the course on Sunday.

Carberry added: “She’s letting me play it by ear but we’ll get together closer to the time and go through how we’ll ride.

“He likes to do his own thing so we’ll see what happens.

“I’m just hoping I can do as good a job as Carrie did in the National and the Fox Hunters’.”