What's Up Boys to lift the spirits

Flynn had already notched a double at the Sussex track when he said: "I was 23 last week and this is a bit like a belated birthday present. On top of this I can't wait to get on board What's Up Boys in the National.

Later in the afternoon, while we were watching the televised races from Haydock, Johnson came on the screen to say that he would be riding What's Up Boys in the world's greatest steeplechase. I have never seen a jockey look more dejected than Flynn.

The young Irishman, good sportsman that he is, choked back his angst and said: "I thought I would be riding him, but Richard is the first choice for the stable and that's the way it goes. "

Apart from Tony McCoy, Johnson is the glamour boy of the jumping scene at present due to his romantic association with Zara Phillips, the Princess Royal's daughter. While making his recovery, Richard and Zara spent several weeks in the Australian sunshine just after Christmas, and within a fortnight of returning here Johnson was back in the saddle. However, he has failed to get round Aintree in five attempts in the National.

Hobbs is enthusiastic about What's Up Boys' chances in the gruelling four-and-a-half mile marathon, especially as the ground looks set to be on the good side.

He said: "He could never quite get to the leaders in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham, but he did stay on, and the way the National will be run ought to suit him."

Another positive pointer to the horse's hopes is the domination of West Country trainers in jump racing.

Somerset is not just where the cider apples grow, it is where National Hunt handlers prosper.

The top three trainers at present are Martin Pipe, based at Wellington; Shepton Mallet handler, Paul Nicholls, and Hobbs, whose Minehead headquarters lie deep in the Quantock Hills.

The latter has already struck powerful blows this season. Apart from the Hennessy, Hobbs has provided the winner of the Racing Post Chase at Kempton with Gunther Mcbride and sent out Flagship Uberalles to triumph in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Festival, with Johnson in the saddle on both occasions.

The only real blot on What's Up Boys' record this campaign was when he was pulled up in the Aon Chase at Newbury. Hobbs said: "He strained a muscle in his shoulder during the race, but he soon got over that."

Owned by Dr Roden Bridgwater of RJB Partners, What's Up Boys was formerly trained in Ireland by Eric McNamara and won a bumper (National Hunt Flat race) at Punchestown four years ago before joining Hobbs.

Affectionately known as 'Whattie', What's Up Boys' hat-trick of wins last term included the Mildmay Novices' Chase at Aintree and a second in the Whitbread Gold Cup to leading big-racecontender, Ad Hoc.

Hobbs and Johnson have never won the National but tomorrow that could all change.