HORSE RACING: Paul Carberry returns to action at Gowran Park today in plenty of time to prove his fitness for Limestone Lad's weekend return at Navan.
The season's leading rider was kicked in the kidney area, and around his rib-cage, in a fall at Punchestown last Saturday and hasn't race-ridden since.
But he has a number of choice rides this afternoon, including the likely favourite Khetaam in the opening maiden hurdle.
"I'm a bit sore still but otherwise it's not too bad. I just got a kick in the back, at the back of the kidneys but I'm okay. I should be alright for the weekend," Carberry said yesterday.
Carberry's big date will be with Limestone Lad in the Giltspur Scientific Hurdle and he is keen to be reunited with the James Bowe- trained star.
He trailed Limestone Lad by eight lengths on Scottish Memories in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle and was as impressed as everyone else by the performance.
"He's impossible to get past and so hard to beat," Carberry said before agreeing with the view that Limestone Lad may be better than ever this season.
"I think his jumping has got a lot quicker. Last year it could be a bit slow but it got better towards the end of the season and he has carried it on," he said.
Carberry tops the jockeys' table on the 70-winner mark and looks almost certain to get off it today.
Khetaam would prefer better ground than the forecast "yielding to soft" but his second to Kicking King at Naas last time could turn out to be a smart performance.
Kicking King is one of a select bunch of entries for Sunday's Barry & Sandra Kelly Memorial Hurdle at Navan where the SunAlliance favourite, the unbeaten Pizarro, is scheduled to have just his second start over obstacles.
Carberry can also fancy his chances on Woodys Deep Ocean who halted a run of placed efforts with a smooth defeat of Numbersixvalverde at Punchestown last time out.
Carberry should also know where he stands with rival Moss Bawn having ridden him to success at Thurles.
Willie Mullins's week has not been the best having had to announce that Alexander Banquet is finished for the season due to a suspensory problem. There is also the cloud hanging over Be My Royal's Hennessy success due to the ongoing morphine problem.
However, the Co Carlow trainer does look to dominate the third maiden hurdle and Ruby Walsh's presence on Mossy Green's back appears significant.
Dessie Hughes has an impressive collection of young horses including Hardy Eustace and Central House. Poker Pal could add to the Hughes score in the second while Central House fans will be looking to Hi Cloy in the bumper.
The Hourigan runner went down by just a short head to Central House in a bumper. The winner has certainly advertised the run and Hi Cloy looks a bet.
