BOY RUNNING FOR FARMERS` CHARITY Grand National hope Addington Boy has been leased to sponsors Martell and Aintree racecourse as a prize in a competition to raise money for farmers affected by the foot and mouth outbreak. Leasing the 13-year-old, who is owned by Walter Gott and trained by Ferdy Murphy, has been organised to generate funds for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution. Anybody wanting to help the farming community can call or write in with a donation. One donor will be drawn out of a hat on Friday afternoon and will travel with a guest as the owner of Addington Boy for the day and receive 12 per cent of any prize-money won by the horse. Aintree managing director Charles Barnett said: 'We have been looking for a way to support the farming community. Our objective is to raise stg#100,000 for the institution and we hope everybody will get behind us and support this very worthwhile cause.' Lease organiser Peter Steveney and Middleham-based Murphy, who saddled Addington Boy to finish fifth behind Papillon last year, are charging no fees. Silks manufacturers Allertons have donated the green, yellow and brown colours.Meanwhile Adrian Maguire will leave his decision on which horse to ride in the Martell Grand National until the 'last minute'. Maguire, who has the choice of Ferdy Murphy`s two runners Addington Boy and Paddy`s Return in the Aintree spectacular, has completed the course in the Grand National on the five occasions he has competed. 'It`s going to be a close call,' he said. 'I`m delighted with both horses. They`ve both been round there before. 'I`m in no rush to make my mind up so I`ll leave it to the last minute before deciding.' Both horses are bracketed on 25-1 for the Grand National.
