Racing: JP McManus' racing manager Frank Berry insists there is no rush for Tony McCoy to decide which of the owner's four entries he will ride in the Grand National on Saturday.
Victory in the Aintree marathon is one of the few prizes to still elude the 13-times champion jockey and he has the choice of Butler’s Cabin, L’Ami, Reveillez and Can’t Buy Time to chose from in this year’s renewal.
McCoy has indicated he will leave a decision on his intended mount until as late as possible and Berry believes at least three of the McManus contenders have leading claims.
“There is no pressure for Tony to make up his mind as we have jockeys ready for the other horses,” said Berry. “I’m sure he will wait to see what the ground is and the whole job on Thursday morning.”
Butler’s Cabin came to grief jumping Becher’s for the second time a year ago but Berry believes he has to go into this year’s renewal with a leading chance.
“Butler’s Cabin jumped well for a long way last year and he has come back and run a good race in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham,” Berry continued. “He’s a bit higher in the weights this year but he has come out of his last race good and you would have to be pleased with him.”
L’Ami only made it as far as the second fence 12 months ago, ending the riding career of Mick Fitzgerald with a crashing fall.
“Before the National last year I thought L’Ami would be one you would love to be riding as I thought he’d be very safe, but for some reason he missed out the second badly and poor old Mick (Fitzgerald) got a bad fall,” added Berry.
“He’s been round the cross-country courses a few times since and he has got sharper at it. He’s fit and well so hopefully he will run a good race.”