Mann bullish over Friend
Merchants Friend is reported to be in flying form ahead of his intended run in the totesport Classic Chase at Warwick next week.
The 10-year-old came back to his best to stroll away with a competitive staying event at Haydock last month and trainer Charlie Mann has been delighted with his progress since.
That was Merchants Friend’s first win since May 2003 and Mann believes he is back in the kind of form that saw him finish runner-up at the Cheltenham Festival in 2004.
“He did a sparkling bit of work earlier in the week and I don’t think I’ve had him this well since he finished second in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham,” said the trainer.
“He’s delighted me since his win at Haydock, which I must say came as a surprise at the time, and I’m looking forward to a big run from him in the Warwick race.”
Ferdy Murphy could be double-handed in the race with both Fashions Monty and Historg on course.
The nine-year-old Fashions Monty has notched up a sequence of four straight wins at distances up to three miles three furlongs, but she would have to get an extra two furlongs at Warwick.
Murphy told Racing UK: “We’ve got her in there. The owner’s son, Neil Mulholland, is back with me now and he will ride her there, and we’ll probably run Historg too.
“She’s a tough little mare, she’s in great order and she’ll love the three mile five.”
