Murphy hoping for cutting edge in National
Ferdy Murphy is praying Joes Edge gets the necessary breaks when he lines up among a 40-strong field for the John Smith’s Grand National tomorrow.
The former Scottish National hero enjoyed some exercise on the beach at Redcar earlier in the week as the final touches were put to his preparations for the four-and-a-half-mile showpiece.
Joes Edge will not have such a relaxing time at Aintree, but Middleham trainer Murphy has been delighted with his charge in the build-up and just hopes lady luck will smile on the general 9-1 favourite.
“Everything has gone fine at home and now we just need all the luck,” Murphy said.
“We can’t moan about the ground or anything like that as everything is in his favour and I wouldn’t interfere with Graham’s (Lee) riding plans.
“Graham has won the race before so I’ll leave it to him. We just need the luck of the race now.”
Lee, successful in 2004 on Amberleigh House, also feels everything is slotting nicely into place.
“I’m looking forward to it as he has a lot of ticks in the right boxes,” Lee told BBC Sport.
“He’s a Scottish National winner, he comes into the race after winning the William Hill (Trophy) at the Cheltenham Festival and he’s got 10st 2lb.
“He goes in the ground too and I can see why he’s favourite. But he doesn’t know what price he is and we’ll just see what hand we get dealt.”
No horse has managed to land back-to-back renewals since Aintree legend Red Rum achieved the feat in 1973-74.
Martin Brassil’s Numbersixvalverde will attempt to put that record straight and connections are making the right noises.
“I’m really looking forward to it and hoping he’ll run well,” said owner Bernie Carroll.
“Everything has gone to plan and I’m just hoping the ground will stay all right.
“They’ll probably water tonight and tomorrow and the ground won’t affect him - he works well on it.”
Carroll was happy with Numbersixvalverde’s fourth in his prep race at Fairyhouse and admits the steadying burden of 11st 3lb is his greatest worry.
“He stayed on well last time and that was on the one ground he really wouldn’t like as it was really tacky,” he added.
“That run kind of woke him up a bit, but he’s as good as he ever was, I can tell you that for sure.
Point Barrow has found himself towards the head of ante-post lists for some time and has settled in well after making the trek across the Irish Sea.
“He’s eaten up and never turned a hair,” said trainer Pat Hughes, who hopes Aintree continue to water in the absence of much-needed rain.
“A drop of water would be good – as well as a bit of luck. Everything has gone well since his last race, so we are just hoping for the best.
“As for tactics, in a race like this the jockey has to play it by ear as anything can happen.”
