Aintree hero Bobbyjo is put down

Almost two years to the day after his greatest career success, 1999 Martell Grand National hero Bobbyjo has died.

The 11-year-old gelding had been sidelined for the season while recovering from a successful operation to mend a shattered carpal bone. But he since aggravated the injury and was put to sleep two days ago on veterinary advice.

His finest hour came when beating

Blue Charm by ten lengths to record the first Irish-trained triumph in Aintree's marathon chase since trainer, Tommy Carberry, won the event as a jockey on L'Escargot in

Carberry's son, Paul, rode Bobbyjo to victory. The partnership also finished 11th to Papillon in last year's renewal and had previously beaten that winner in a close battle for the 1998 Irish Grand National.

1975.

Bobbyjo will be buried in the County Galway hometown of his owner Bobby Burke, the London-based publican.

* Tony McCoy decides today which of Martin Pipe's ten Martell Grand National entries he will partner in Saturday's big race after walking the course at Aintree. Pipe intends to run nine or all ten in the £500,000 event and has a raft of jockeys on standby for the remaining mounts.