LIVERPOOL, England (AP) _ Nina and Paul Carberry are set to
become the first brother and sister to ride in the same Grand
National steeplechase.
Irish jockey Nina Carberry will ride 12-year-old Forest Gunner on
April 8 at Aintree, hoping to become the first woman to win the
4 1/2-mile race over 30 fences in the event's 167-year history.
Another female jockey, Carrie Ford, rode Forest Gunner in last
year's Grand National. She finished fifth to match the best ever
placing by a female rider _ 51-year-old Rosemary Henderson on
Fiddlers Pike in 1994.
Paul Carberry is due to ride Sir OJ at this year's National. He
won the race on Bobbyjo seven years ago.
Nina Carberry, who will become the 13th female jockey to compete
in the National, was unseated at the third fence when she rode
Forest Gunner in the Becher Chase in November.
``I'm looking forward to it. I can't wait,'' she said.
``Hopefully I will get around this time.''
Forest Gunner has won twice over big fences, but was pulled up in
his last two outings.
``He's back to form now and I couldn't be happier with him,''
trainer Richard Ford said.
Ireland, which swept the top three places in the Gold Cup at
Cheltenham earlier this month, could have 10 horses in the National
_ including last year's winner, Hedgehunter.
