Glynn's National hope back on track

Becauseicouldntsee is back on the road to the John Smith’s Grand National after successful surgery on a hind leg.

The eight-year-old is in steady work at Noel Glynn’s stables in County Clare following his return from the Fethard Equine Hospital in County Tipperary after the operation earlier this month.

The trainer is very optimistic Becauseicouldntsee will make the world’s greatest steeplechase at Aintree on April 9.

Becauseicouldntsee sustained the injury when finishing second to Majestic Concorde in the Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas but the extent of the damage did not come to light for a while.

“We just started working him two days ago and he’ll be back in full work by Wednesday,” said Glynn.

“He was 95% fit when the injury happened and he’s clear-winded so hopefully we will get him there.

“A horse jumped into him and he got a little nick in his hind leg. We thought it was nothing, but it didn’t clear up and he had to have an operation on it.

“There was new bone formed and they had to scrape it out. He’s sound and walking about, so hopefully we’ll get him there.”

Nina Carberry was in the saddle at Leopardstown and she will keep the ride at Aintree.

“Nina rides him. She was second on him in the Paddy Power at Christmas. She’s a good horsewoman,” Glynn added.

Carberry has completed the course in two attempts at the National, finishing ninth on Forest Gunner in 2006 and seventh on Character Building last year.