Fox hopes to avoid 'disaster' of missing Arthur National ride

Jockey Derek Fox is optimistic he will be back from injury in time to avoid the "disaster" of missing the ride on One For Arthur, a leading contender for the Randox Health Grand National at Aintree on April 8.

Fox has been sidelined since fracturing his left wrist and damaging his right collarbone in a fall on March 9.

However, the rider has made positive progress from his injuries at Jack Berry House in Malton and said on Thursday: “I haven’t seen a doctor or anything yet but the physios and everyone I’ve been working with have been very positive so far.

“I’m hoping to see the doctor at Jack Berry House at the end of next week and then I have to be passed by a racecourse doctor. Hopefully that’ll be at Kelso on the Monday before the Grand National and if I get passed that day I’d hope to be back riding at Carlisle on the Wednesday.”

Derek Fox: One For Arthur would be first Grand National ride

Fox has been based in Malton since his injury, but has been keeping in touch with trainer Lucinda Russell as One For Arthur, who is a general 16-1 to land the £1 million Grand National, is put through his final preparations for Aintree.

He said: “I’ve been down here all the time since I got the injury, but I know the horse is in very good hands and Lucinda’s very happy with him. I’ve spoken to her a few times and she says he’s working very well and she couldn’t be happier with him. If Lucinda’s happy then I’m happy.

“It would be my first ride in the Grand National so it’s a massive deal for me to get back; it would be just a disaster if I missed it. But fingers crossed everything looks to be going in the right direction and I’d be more than confident of being back in time to ride in the race.”

Irish option for Encore

While Fox is making every effort to be back for Aintree, Regal Encore is far from a certain runner in the race, with the BoyleSports Irish Grand National a serious option for him instead.

Regal Encore is one of five JP McManus-owned horses among the 79 confirmations for the Grand National, and the nine-year-old’s trainer Anthony Honeyball is set to consider his options over the coming days before deciding whether to go to Aintree or Fairyhouse.

He said: "The Irish National looks the safer option as it's not as much as a step up in trip and is over regulation fences, but we'll see closer to the time.

“We're training him for one race or the other so it doesn't make much difference and I'd have thought he'll be in there right until declaration time.”

Regal Encore, who won the £100,000 Silver Cup over 3m at Ascot in December, is as low as 33-1 for the National, but available at twice that price with William Hill.