Paul Carberry: will attempt to win the Champion Bumper for the third time

  PICTURE: Martin Lynch  

Bumper ride for Carberry following Fallon u-turn

KIEREN FALLON has opted out of his ride on Old McDonald in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham and will be replaced on the Noel Glynn-trained five-year-old by Paul Carberry.

Glynn, who is based in County Clare, said on Tuesday: "We thought we had Kieren booked for the ride, but a few texts have been flying about and we've been told that he's going to be in Dubai and won't be at Cheltenham."

"It would have been a great Clare occasion as Kieren is from the county and I'm a bit mad with him, but we've been lucky to get Paul to ride the horse."

Carberry will be attempting to win the Cheltenham Festival race for the third time following victories on Rhythm Section (1993) and Hairy Molly (2006).

Glynn, for whom Carberry's sister, Nina, rides Becauseicouldntsee in the National Hunt Chase, added: "Old McDonald is in super form and ready to go. I just hope they go fast enough for him."

Old McDonald was a six-length winner, under Barry Geraghty, at Ludlow in December on his most recent start.