"I believe he was going to give up after the April meeting at Punchestown, unfortunately this happened, " he said.

BBC: JT McNamara: Paralysed jockey 'planned to retire'

Fairyhouse staged four Grade One races in one afternoon, and Tranquil Sea won the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase.

BBC: Hurricane Fly wins at Fairyhouse in Willie Mullins treble

The opening day of the four-day Irish National Hunt Festival at Punchestown proved a happy one for the Carberry family.

BBC: SPORT | Other Sport | Horse Racing | Moscow loses out at Punchestown

The annual Punchestown Festival will take place from 23 to 27 April.

BBC: JT McNamara: Paralysed jockey 'planned to retire'

"I would rather go for a race where he is in contention, " adding that if the ground suited then the Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown was a serious option.

BBC: Alain Cawley rides Joncol to win the Hennessy Gold Cup

Grand National third Snowy Morning is also likely to take his chance in Saturday's feature, having finished second to Neptune Collonges in the Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown on his latest outing.

BBC: McCoy boosts Down Royal meeting