Racing: Paul Carberry is confident he will be able to return to action at Leopardstown next week, writes Brian O'Connor Racing Correspondent
A fractured right thumb put the double champion jockey on the sidelines three weeks ago after a spill at Fairyhouse.
He hasn't ridden since, but with the likes of Harbour Pilot waiting in the Ericsson Chase over the holiday period, Carberry is pulling out all the stops to be back in time.
"It's a case of so far so good and I think I should be okay. The cast is coming off on Monday and then we'll know more. But I should be okay to ride by Friday," he said yesterday.
Carberry is one man who will be hoping for rain over the holiday period as the current "yielding" ground at Leopardstown would not be ideal for Harbour Pilot's chances of overturning Beef Or Salmon.
"He would like it a bit softer than it is at the moment," acknowledged the jockey who rode Harbour Pilot to be placed in the Ericsson last year behind Beef Or Salmon.
Carberry is unclear about other possible riding arrangements, but he will be keen to make up for lost time as he chases Barry Geraghty in the race for the jump jockeys' title.
Geraghty is on the 75-winner mark, 13 clear of Carberry, who is 10 ahead of Ruby Walsh.
The ride on the exciting Nil Desperandum in the William Neville Novice Chase is waiting for Walsh, as the latest reports from the Frances Crowley camp suggest the horse will make the race.
"He had a little hold-up after winning the Drinmore and was held up for about a week and a half," Crowley said yesterday.
"He got a bang in his last race, which blew up a bit, but he is back in full work again now.
"If he is not ready in time we won't run him, but we think he will be. It takes very little to get him fit and he was very fit from before anyway, so he should be okay," she added.
Carberry has been associated with many of Limestone Lad's biggest triumphs, but it will be Gary Hutchinson who will ride the James Bowe-trained Solerina in the Bewley's Hotel Christmas Hurdle on Monday week.
Back In Front and Hardy Eustace are already confirmed among the likely opposition, but there could also be a challenger from France for the fourth-day highlight.
Foreman, owned by JP McManus but trained by Thierry Doumen, may make the journey to Leopardstown for the race if ground conditions at Kempton stop his stable companion, First Gold, running in the King George.
"If First Gold runs in the Ericsson, then I suppose Foreman could go for the hurdle, although it looks a pretty hot race," said McManus's spokesman, Frank Berry, yesterday.
Foreman is already a winner in France this season and is best known here for running fourth behind Hardy Eustace in the SunAlliance at Cheltenham in March.
Another McManus-owned entry in the big hurdle is Specular, who is trained by Jonjo O'Neill but is unlikely to travel because of a knock picked up last week.
