Murphy hoping for Leading role in Becher

Nov 22 2007 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

FERDY MURPHY has his string is sparkling form and he is hoping Leading Man can add to his recent success in this Sunday’s totesport Becher Chase at Aintree.

Murphy landed the Paddy Power Gold Cup with l’Antartique at Cheltenham last week-end and scored a treble at Hexham yesterday as stable jockey Graham Lee steered Delray Beach, Poker De Sivola and Pakineo Des Pictons to a -1 treble.

And the Yorkshire-based trainer feels Leading Man can go well in the feature contest of the second day of the North West Masters, run over the National fences.

After punters latched onto the seven-year-old earlier this week, he is vying for favouritism and is a general best-priced 8-1 with most bookmakers.

And Murphy said: “Leading Man had a very good comeback run at Carlisle and won the Roland Meyrick at Werherby last season.

“I always feel horses who jump round there operate well at Aintree. We’ve had a good few who have done so in the past. Leading Man is in right good form, has improved quite a bit for the first run and Graham Lee is very much looking forward to riding him. He is a real staying type who jumps very well.”

Meanwhile Irish trainer TJ Nagle is sending Aka Jake to Aintree this Sunday for the Becher Chase, despite the horse being out of the handicap.

The eight-year-old, has yet to win in 14 races, but with the weights unlikely to rise with Peter Bowen expected to saddle Iron Man, Aka Jake shoulder just 9st 10lb.

Aka Jake is also entered in the other race over the National fences on Sunday, the totepool Grand Sefton Handicap Chase over five furlongs shorter, and would have to carry 11st 5lb in that.

But Nagle said: “He’s going for the Becher Chase. I’m not too happy about the weight, but it’s either that or I don’t run him.

“We’re going to take a chance because we think the trip will suit him well. That is better than running him over 2m5f with 11st 5lb.”