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James Reveley aiming to ride in Grand National
James Reveley is still quietly hopeful that he will be fit enough to take part in the 2023 Grand National aboard outsider Roi Mage in less than four weeks’ time, however the likelihood of him actually riding seems rather slim.
James Reveley has been sidelined from action following a leg break received in a fall at Pau last month and he is facing a race against time for a rare chance to appear in the Grand National. The three-time French champion jockey (2016, 2021 and 2023) has a fractured tibia and while he is certainly on the mend, the timescale between now and the world’s most famous steeplechase makes it hugely unlikely that he will be fit enough to take part in the gruelling marathon.
He said: “I’ve got a fractured tibia and I’m on the mend, but it could be touch and go for the National, to be honest.
“I’m looking to get back around Easter. My target is April 8 to be back riding.
“I’m actually getting operated on to remove a screw, as it has come a bit loose and we will see how things go over the next week to 10 days.
“You can’t rush bone injuries and I have the leg to build back up. I’m slowly getting there but it takes a bit of time and work.”
Patrick Griffin inmate Roi Mage is a rank outsider for the 2023 Grand National at a general price of 50/1, the 11-year-old being handed a weight of just 10st 8lb for the contest. He just missed the cut by one last year and while Reveley still hopes to partner him at Aintree on April 15th, the jockey fears that he is fighting a losing battle.
He continued: “It is up in the air, but I spoke to James (Griffin, assistant trainer) and we said we’d make a decision over the first couple of days in April as to whether I would be fit to ride.
“I said I’d love to ride him and I know the horse quite well. I think he’ll suit the track.
“It is in the balance. I would say it is more unlikely than likely, but you never know. We’ll see.
“I was looking forward to it. It is a shame really, because most of the years I can never ride in the National because it falls on the same day as the big trials in Auteuil.
“This is the first year it has been separate weekends, so if I can’t make it, I’ll be gutted.”
