Gallagher poised for return to saddle

Aintree aim: Dean Gallagher has recovered from a broken neck
14 April 2012

Dean Gallagher rode out for the first time this morning since breaking his neck in a fall at Cagnes-sur-Mer on Boxing Day, after being given the green light to resume his career by doctors.

The France-based jockey, who cracked his vertebrae in the spill, visited specialists in Paris on Monday and now set to return to race-riding in two weeks.

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But his ultimate goal is to be fit enough to partner Grade 1 Prix La Haye Jousselin runner-up Louping D'Ainay in John Smith's Grand National at Aintree on April 12.

Gallager told Daily Mail On-Line Sport: "I went back to see the doctors in Paris yesterday for the final scan and they were delighted with my progress - not as delighted as me, mind you, but delighted all the same.

"They have said that I can crack on and have given me the all clear to ride. They said I have to take it easy for the first week or so to strengthen the neck up and have booked me in to see the physio twice a week for the next two weeks.

"I rode out for the first time since the fall this morning. It felt good, no aches or pains, but I will probably feel a bit stiff and sore later this evening. But the good news is it has healed well and there have been no complications."

While Gallagher missed the Cheltenham Festival for the second successive season through injury, he insists he will be ready to partner the François Cottin-trained, Jean-Paul Senechal-owned eight-year-old in the Aintree marathon.

The former Champion Hurdle-winning jockey, who broke three bones - the C1, C6 and C7 vertebrae - was sidelined with a broken collarbone last term, yet still managed to finish third in the French Jockeys' championship.

"It has been frustrating, but I'm still on target to be back for April 4th. I've got two weeks to get myself fit and prepare myself, and I hope to return for the Enghien meeting that day.

"Hopefully, it will then be all systems go for Aintree after that and obviously, I'm really looking forward to it."

Gallagher, who finished fourth aboard Dubacilla in Royal Athlete's 1995 Grand National - the closest he's gone in 10 attempts at Aintree - says Louping D'Ainay, who won the French Grand National in 2005, is an "ideal" horse for the Aintree showpiece.

"My horse is an ideal sort. He's got 11st 9lb, which is unfortunately a big weight, but he's the only French horse I've ridden that I would say is ideal as far as the trip and his jumping goes.

"His form is very strong and he was an excellent second to the stable's Princess D'Anjou in the French Gold Cup at Auteuil in November, so obviously the English handicapper doesn't give us much leeway, but I'm hopeful he'll run very well."

John Smith's Grand National - William Hill bet:

10-1 Dun Doire, 12-1 Far From Trouble, Numbersixvalverde, Point Barrow, 14-1 Hedgehunter, Turpin Green (doubtful), 16-1 Eurotrek, Simon, 20-1 Clan Royal, Exotic Dancer (doubtful), L'Ami, State Of Play, 25-1 Billyvoddan, Bothar Na, Homer Wells, Idle Talk, Joes Edge, Liberthine, Longshanks, 33-1 A New Story, Bewleys Berry, Forget The Past, Gallant Approach, Jack High, Kelami, Lacdoudal, Silver Birch, 40-1 Garvivonian, Le Duc, Ossmoses, Royal Auclair, Thisthatandtother, Ursumman, 50-1 Ballycassidy, Cornish Rebel, GVA Ireland, Hakim, Inca Trail, Innox, Kandjar D'Allier, Kymandjen, Livingstonebramble, Lou Du Moulin Mas, Mckelvey, Monkerhostin, Naunton Brook, Ned Kelly, Our Ben, Parsons Legacy, Philson Run, The Outlier, Tikram, Zabenz, 66-1 Armaturk, Bold Bishop, Cloudy Bays, Crozan, Dix Villez, Dunbrody Millar, Fota Island, Iris Royal, Joueur D'Estruval, Knowhere, Korelo, Lord Of Illusion, Louping D'Ainay, Nirvana Du Bourg, Nitrat, Patricksnineteenth, Puntal, Sir Rembrandt, Slim Pickings, Take The Stand, Undeniable, 100-1 BAR

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