Geraghty misses ride in Grand National after suffering broken leg in Topham

Barry Geraghty will miss the ride on Anibale Fly in Saturday's Randox Health Grand National after breaking his leg in a fall from Peregrine Run over the famous fences in Friday's Topham Chase.

Geraghty, who then missed a winning ride at Aintree on Champ in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices' Hurdle, won the world's most famous steeplechase in 2003 aboard Monty's Pass and had been due to ride Gold Cup runner-up Anibale Fly, who is a best-priced 16-1.

The pair were fourth in the Grand National last year, one of six top-four finishes in 18 starts.

Barry Geraghty suffered a broken leg in a fall in the Topham Chase and has been replaced on Anibale Fly by Mark Walsh, who switches from Regal Encore. Jonathan Burke picks up the ride on Regal Encore.

Geraghty's injury will also prevent him from riding in the other big spring festivals, Fairyhouse and Punchestown.

"It’s been confirmed I have broken both my tibia and fibula just above my right ankle," said the 39-year-old.

"I haven’t seen a replay of the fall yet, but by the sounds of it, it might have been a kick off a horse that ran over the top of me after the fall that did the damage.

"It’s a real sickener to miss tomorrow as the Grand National is the race I look forward to more than any other, but missing Fairyhouse and Punchestown too is just as sickening."

He added on attheraces.com: "In terms of when I’ll be back, it’s too early to say. It’s probably going to need surgery to straighten it. It’s a weight-bearing bone and it took me nearly four months to come back when I broke my shin on the other leg a few years ago.

"I’d only be guessing at this stage, but I’ll probably be at least ten to 12 weeks on the sidelines.

"It’s tough to stomach, but we all know it comes with the territory."

McManus's racing manager Frank Berry added on Friday night: "Barry has fractured his right ankle. He's having more x-rays and will be in hospital overnight. He's in good form all things considered.

"Mark Walsh will probably switch from Regal Encore to ride Anibale Fly, subject to the stewards' permission. We'll sort out a rider for Regal Encore in the morning."

Mark Enright, who fell in the Topham from Call It Magic, was also taken to hospital after an incident-packed race. He is due to ride Noble Endeavor in the National.

The Lucinda Russell-trained Forest Des Aigles sadly broke down approaching the final fence in the Topham and had to be put down after sustaining an untreatable fracture to his left fore cannon bone.

Earlier on the card Crucial Role also unfortunately had to be euthanised after x-rays showed an untreatable fracture to the radius bone in his right fore leg.

Faugheen: unscathed after pulling up in the Aintree HurdleCredit: Patrick McCann

Trainer Willie Mullins had news on Faugheen, who was pulled up in the Aintree Hurdle on Thursday and was found to have a fibrillating heart in a post-race examination.

He reported: "He was checked by the BHA vets today and they've pronounced him fit and well, so we're very happy with that result.

"The irregularity has passed so we'll bring him home and continue to keep an eye on him. We'll continue as normal next week but we'll monitor him all the time. I'll probably give him another night here and then travel him home tomorrow."

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