Geraghty awaits National fate

Barry Geraghty will have to wait a few more days before finding out whether he will be given the allclear to return to action in time for next week’s Randox Health Grand National meeting.

JP McManus’ retained rider had a scan yesterday morning as he looks to make his comeback after missing the Cheltenham Festival for the first time in his career.

He suffered a collapsed lung and six broken ribs in a fall from Charli Parcs in the Adonis Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton on February 25.

He is keen to get back in the saddle to ride the likes of Festival winners Defi Du Seuil and Buveur D’Air and Stayers’ Hurdle third Unowhatimeanharry at Aintree.

“Barry was having a scan this morning,” said Dr Adrian McGoldrick, Irish Turf Club senior medical officer.

“We’ll have to get the scan report to see if he is fit enough to go. That will be the end of this week or early next week,”

Fellow McManus rider Mark Walsh was due to see consultant orthopaedic surgeon Paddy Kenny to assess the progress on the left leg he fractured in a fall at Cheltenham Festival when standing in for Geraghty.

Le Mercurey will sport the same colours as 1992 Grand National hero Party Politics when he lines up at Aintree a week on Saturday after being snapped up by owner Patricia Thompson.

Thompson, who owns Cheveley Park Stud along with husband David, famously bought the Nick Gaselee-trained Party Politics just days before the Aintree spectacular and she will be targeting similar success with her Paul Nicholls-trained recruit.

The trainer is now hoping the famous pink and purple silks of Thompson will bring similar luck for Le Mercurey.