Manager set for pre-National run
Well-backed Martell Cognac Grand National contender Be My Manager is set to have his final start before Aintree when he lines up at Kempton Park on Friday.
The Martin Todhunter-trained nine-year-old has been something of a revelation since joining the Cumbria-based handler at the sales last May.
Always well regarded when trained by Henrietta Knight, having been bought at the same time as Best Mate, Be My Manager lost his way after winning his first two races over fences in Britain.
But it was the gelding’s final start for Knight which caught Todhunter’s eye and encouraged him to pay 54,000 guineas at the sales on behalf of owner Brian Murfin.
“He ran in the Topham and he caught my eye staying on at the finish,” said Todhunter. “He had been talked up the handicap and never really had the chance with Henrietta. As a result, he probably lost his way a bit.
“But – for want of a better phrase – he had come from the best hotel around when he came to us and he was in really good shape.
“The handicapper has hardly been fair to us with him, either. Having finally been dropped down a few pounds he’s won two small races and he’s gone up 19lb to 134.
“He went up 6lb for sitting in his box after horses like Hunters Tweed franked the form of his last win.
“But he has got into the National at the sort of weight we were expecting and after Kempton, that will be his next race. The National has been his target since the day we bought him.
“Hopefully he will get some decent ground at Kempton and run a good race. I haven’t sorted out a jockey yet because ideally I would like someone to ride him who can also ride him in the National.”
Bookmakers are already well aware of Be My Manager’s plans, having seen considerable support for Todhunter’s charge in recent days.
The gamble started when Mike Futter, the owner of last year’s winner Monty’s Pass, supported him to the tune of £5,000 each-way at 66-1 with William Hill shortly after the weights for this year’s race were announced.
And Hills spokesman David Hood today reported further support for Be My Manager, who now trades at just 20-1, having been laid over the last week at 33s and 25s.
“There has been a lot of general money for the horse and he is definitely our worst result in the book at the moment,” said Hood.
“He needs to find a little bit of improvement but we will certainly be keeping an interested eye on him to see how he gets on if he runs at Kempton.”
