Murphy siding with Time

Timmy Murphy has nominated It Takes Time as his likely John Smith’s Grand National mount, leaving Richard Johnson to partner Therealbandit.

While Murphy made clear that he has yet to come to a final decision on which of the two David Johnson horses he will ride, he has revealed that he is poised to renew his association on the 12-year-old who carried him to fourth 12 months ago.

“I’d be leaning towards It Takes Time,” Murphy told The Racing Post.

“I wouldn’t be sure what I’m riding yet and I haven’t spoken with David or Pipey, but It Takes Time has been around before and gone really well in both the National and the Beecher, so I’m leaning towards him.

“Therealbandit goes there fresh, and both horses have jumped well over the National fences at home. The only difference between them is that one has been to Aintree before and the other hasn’t.”

Johnson, runner-up in 2002 on What’s Up Boys, is pleased to have picked up a ride for Pipe.

“I’ve been lucky enough to ride in the race before but you wouldn’t want to take a ride just for the sake of having a ride,” said Johnson.

“Martin knows what it takes to win the race and whichever one Timmy turns down will still be a very good horse to get on.

“It Takes Time gave me a fantastic ride to be placed in the Beecher, and Therealbandit beat last year’s Gold Cup second Take The Stand at Wetherby over Christmas.

“Either horse would be well worth riding.”

It Takes Time is a general 33-1 chance while Therealbandit can be backed at 40-1.