Leading role for Murphy's main man

Ferdy Murphy is looking to plunder another valuable contest when Leading Man tackles the totesport.com Becher Handicap Chase at Aintree on Sunday.

The North Yorkshire handler has carried last season’s red-hot form straight into the new campaign, with the Paddy Power Gold Cup and Northumberland National safely secured in the last seven days.

And he is in positive mood as Leading Man’s first look at the towering Grand National fences approaches – especially after the seven-year-old reappeared with a promising sixth at Carlisle.

“We’re very happy with our lad as he’s come on well and he looks like one who will handle the race well,” Murphy said.

“I’ve always thought he might make into a nice National horse and we’ll find out a bit more about him on Sunday.

“I was delighted with him on his return and I thought he might have needed it a bit more.

“But he stayed on really well all the way to the line for Graham (Lee) that day and showed a really good attitude.”

Leading Man will face 18 rivals in the three-mile-two-furlong Listed contest and is able to race off 10st 1lb after top-weight Iron Man also stood his ground.

“I’ve always felt he has plenty of scope so we’re looking forward to seeing him there on Sunday,” Murphy concluded.

Nigel Twiston-Davies is expecting a bold show from Irish Raptor, who took to the unique obstacles last season when seventh in the Topham Chase.

“He ran really well in the Topham last year, he jumped the fences well. I think he’s got a very good chance,” said the Naunton trainer.