Air Force One: will be ridden by Peter Toole for the first time

  PICTURE: Caroline Norris  

Toole handed Down Royal ride on Air Force

PROMISING conditional Peter Toole has been handed the ride on Air Force One when he goes on a recovery mission at Down Royal on March 17.

The Brian Walsh-owned eight-year-old, who recorded victory in a Grade 1 chase at Punchestown in 2008, unseated Paul Moloney at the third fence in Saturday's Sportingbet.com Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster.

The news comes as a welcome tonic for Toole who returns to action on Friday after being kicked on his left knee at Stratford on Monday. 

Speaking to racingpost.com on Thursday morning, Toole said: "I'm absolutely fine now and I will back on Friday to ride one for the boss (Charlie Mann) at Sandown.

"I was in quite a bit of discomfort at Stratford but once I got my leg moving again it was not too bad. The course doctor stitched me up and to be fair he has done a real good job.

"Things have been going great and I am startingto get the opportunities now. Charlie has been very good to me and I will be going across to Down Royal on Wednesday to ride Air Force One for him. "I'm really looking forward to the ride."

The incident at Stratford happenedbefore the start of the mares' handicap chase. Toole, who was aboard Daraz Rose, was kicked by Delays Expected, the mount of Charlie Studd.

Remarkably, afterbeing helped off his mount, Toole decided to take the ride, eventually finishing one and a half lengths second to the Chris Down-trained Darn Hot.

Air Force One also holds entries for the John Smith's Grand National, and Bet365 Gold Cup. He is a best-priced 50-1 shot for the Aintree showpiece.