Bobbyjo's bid to win the Martell Grand National for a second time has been boosted by the imminent return to action of his jockey Paul Carberry.
The talented jockey is expected to be back in action in time to partner the 11-year-old in the Aintree spectacular on April 8th.
Carberry sparked off a great family celebration - the horse is trained by his father Tommy - when guiding Bobbyjo to victory in the 1999 running of the race.
But the jockey, now based back in his homeland after a stint in Britain, has been on the sidelines since breaking his left leg in a fall at Fairyhouse on October 27.
Tommy Carberry said today: "Paul is riding exercise now and it shouldn't be long before he is race riding again.
"It's great news as it means he should be able to ride Bobbyjo at Aintree."
Meanwhile, Bobbyjo will continue his build up to the National at Fairyhouse on Sunday with Paul's brother Philip in the saddle.
After a promising effort over hurdles at Fairyhouse last month, Bobbyjo is returning to the same course on Sunday but this time switches back to fences.
He shoulders top-weight against 14 rivals in the three-mile-one-furlong Grand National Trial Handicap Chase.
"We had originally planned to run him tomorrow but he was balloted out of that race," said Carberry.
"He seems in good form and I was pleased with his last run. It's just a shame that the heavy ground won't suit him.
"He'll probably have one more run over hurdles after this to put him right for Aintree."
Bobbyjo is a best-priced 33-1 for the Grand National but if he recaptured his winning Aintree form of 1999 he would be attractively-weighted with 10st 2lb.
"Like me he's not getting any younger but he will go to the Grand National with as good a chance as any," said Carberry.
"Aintree is a law unto itself but he seems to handle it well. He might not have been able to win last year but apart from one mistake he jumped the course all right."