CARBERRY HOPING FOR NATIONAL RETURN Paul Carberry must wait a few days yet before finding out whether he will be allowed to return to race-riding and a possible mount in the Martell Grand National a week tomorrow. The rider, who has been out of action with a broken left leg since October, visited his doctor today but must see Turf Club medical officer Walter Halley before being given the go-ahead to ride. Carberry, who partnered Bobbyjo to victory in the 1999 National for his father Tommy, will then decide whether he will come back for the big race, in which he has been strongly linked to the ride on Noble Lord. Carberry said today: 'Things went well, I`m in good shape but I`ve not fully passed yet. 'I`ve got to see Walter Halley the medical officer for the Turf Club. 'I`m going to ring him tonight and hopefully see him in the next couple of days. 'I`m not quite sure yet when I`ll be back - possibly Grand National Saturday, maybe the Saturday after that.' Barry Geraghty, Irish champion jumps jockey last season, is being targeted for the ride aboard the Ginger McCain-trained Hanakham at Aintree. The trainer`s son Donald said today: 'We`re hoping to get Barry Geraghty but he`s in America at the moment doing a bit of riding out and he`s hard to get hold of. 'But we hope to have it confirmed this weekend.' Meanwhile Smarty will be trainer Mark Pitman`s only representative in the National after stablemate Browjoshy was ruled out of the race by a setback. The Last Fling is also reported to be on course for the National by trainer Sue Smith`s husband Harvey. Connections of Samuel Wilderspin are hopeful that the nine-year-old can sneak into the race. He is currently down in 58th on the list but with Irish-trained runners and other doubtful starters above him, he could still reach the final field of 40. On the betting front Dark Stranger, who fell when favourite for last year`s National, has come in for significant support today. Martin Pipe`s chargehas been backed down to 14-1 from 25-1 with William Hill and to the same price from 20-1 at Coral, the latter firm also trimming Beau to 11-1 from 12-1. Coral bet: 6-1 Mely Moss, 11-1 Beau, 12-1 Earthmover, 14-1 Noble Lord, Moral Support, Dark Stranger, 16-1 Take Control, Smarty, 20-1 The Last Fling, Edmond, 25-1 Red Marauder, Paddys Return, Northern Starlight, Addington Boy, Supreme Charm, Inn At The Top, 28-1 bar. William Hill bet: 7-1 Mely Moss, 10-1 Earthmover, 11-1 Beau, 14-1 Dark Stranger, Moral Support, 16-1 Noble Lord, 20-1 Edmond, Smarty, 25-1 Inn at The Top, Paddy`s Return, Strong Tel, Take Control, 33-1 bar.
