Carberry soon to be back in the saddle

Paul Carberry hopes to return to the saddle in two to three weeks after fracturing a bone in his neck at Leopardstown last week…

Paul Carberry hopes to return to the saddle in two to three weeks after fracturing a bone in his neck at Leopardstown last week.

Carberry sustained the injury after parting company with Church Island in the Ascon/Rohcon Novice Chase on December 28th.

Although the Irish jockey was able to ride at Leopardstown the next day, a visit to a specialist on Tuesday confirmed he would be out of action for at least a fortnight.

"Things aren't too bad with it so I should be back in two or three weeks," said Carberry. "I saw him (the specialist) this week and I've got to go back to see how things are progressing.

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"I'm not in that much pain - I've had worse injuries."

The injury has denied Carberry the chance of partnering crack novice Iktitaf in the Anglo Irish Bank Corporate Treasury Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown on Saturday.

Noel Meade's charge, who won the Grade One Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse last month, will now be ridden by Tony McCoy.

"It's a shame I can't ride him (Iktitaf) but I'm sure Tony will do a good job," added Carberry.

"He's a really nice horse and I think he can go on to do good things this season."