Mick Fitzgerald will tonight be literally sweating on whether he will able to ride in the Martell Grand National.
Perspiring in a hot bath will form part of the jockey's attempt to get himself fit enough to take part in tomorrow's Aintree spectacular, which he won on Rough Quest four years ago.
He gave up his last ride on Thursday and all his five booked mounts on today's card due to an ankle injury sustained in Architect's fatal fall.
But he is full of hope that he will be able to take his place in the saddle on Esprit de Cotte in the big race.
"I have had some physio and I will have some more," the Irishman said. "I will have a swim and a rest in the jacuzzi and then I will sweat tonight in the bath. I hope to feel 10lb better in the morning.
Fitzgerald, who missed a winner on Ross Moff on Thursday, added that it was only the tough nature of racing at Aintree which prevented his making a comeback today.
"I feel OK and if I was pushed I could ride in a race today," he said. "I have not been stood down on medical grounds - I have stood myself down. But I have got five rides and they are all in competitive races.
"It is hard enough to ride a winner when you are 100 per cent fit, let alone 90 per cent.
"I was actually changed and ready to ride Ross Moff but I said 'I can't ride this'.
"How would I have felt afterwards riding into the second place when I knew I should have been in the winner's enclosure?
"I wouldn't have been able to do the horse justice and it wouldn't be fair to his trainer Tony Martin or the owners."
