Bobbyjo to miss Aintree

Bobbyjo's proposed bid for a second Aintree Grand National in three years looks to have been ended by an injury picked up at Fairyhouse yesterday.

Carrying top weight in the Grand National Trial Handicap Chase, Bobbyjo slipped on landing over the second last fence in the hands of Philip Carberry.

His father Tommy, who trains the 1999 Aintree hero, was immediately concerned that he might not be fully sound despite finishing eighth.

Later Tommy's wife Pamela reported: "Bobbyjo has a fracture at the back of his near-fore knee and we think it happened at the second last.

"The vet will have a look at the injury in the morning, but it's not looking good at the moment," added Mrs Carberry.

First Gold remains favourite for the Tote Gold Cup but at a longer price after his shock defeat by Shogun Willy in Newbury's Aon Chase on Saturday.

First Gold came to challenge Shotgun Willy in the home straight and looked poised to go on and win. But he was never able to get his head in front and Shotgun Willy stayed on the better to land the spoils by one and three-quarter lengths.

First Gold's price was pushed out to as high as 7 to 2 with Ladbrokes for the Gold Cup after the defeat.

But trainer Francois Doumen insisted there was nothing to worry about regarding the eight-year-old's chances for Cheltenham. "I announced beforehand that he would need the run, though I would obviously have preferred it if he'd won," he said.

Flagship Uberalles, who finished a well-beaten second to Function Dream in Saturday's Mitsubishi Shogun Game Spirit Chase, returned home lame.