Dobbin fit for Grand National

Racing:  Tony Dobbin expects to be fit to ride Longshanks in the John Smith's Grand National on Saturday.

Racing: Tony Dobbin expects to be fit to ride Longshanks in the John Smith's Grand National on Saturday.

Dobbin, riding Cloudy Lane in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse yesterday, was brought down at the third last with initial reports suggesting he had broken his arm.

But Longshanks's trainer, Kim Bailey, has received a positive bulletin regarding his big-race pilot and preparations are now in full swing.

"Tony Dobbin has been passed fit and he will be riding at Aintree on Thursday," said Bailey.

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"Longshanks is fine. We had the television camera's here this morning and it's all systems go for Saturday."

As well as Longshanks, Dobbin can look forward to partnering Turpin Green in the Betfair Bowl and possibly Cheltenham flop Monet's Garden in the John Smith's Melling Chase.

Dobbin's agent Richard Hale confirmed that he hopes to be back in the saddle for the start of the three-day meeting in Liverpool.

"Tony says he is hoping to ride on Thursday so he is anticipating no problems," said Hale.

"His arm is not too bad this morning and he is hoping to ride out tomorrow morning and be fit to ride Turpin Green on Thursday.

"Obviously it has improved quite a lot overnight so as long as it keeps going the right way, which we have every reason to believe it will, he should be fine.

"He's taking the cast off today and we don't anticipate any problems."