Hopes High for McManus

Frank Berry has high hopes his boss JP McManus can finally land an elusive first Grand National victory this year.

McManus, runner-up with Clan Royal (2004) and King Johns Castle (2008), is set to have several runners in the Aintree feature this time.

Berry, racing manager to the legendary gambler and top Irish owner, believes they have as good a chance as any of McManus' horses in the past, with a strong team headed by Butler's Cabin.

"We've gone very close with Clan Royal and King Johns Castle. Clan Royal ran well in it a few times and King Johns Castle ran a blinder last year," said Berry.

"Butler's Cabin was travelling well last year when he fell at Becher's second time round.

"It looks like Butler's Cabin is going to have plenty of weight but he's in good form and ran OK at Cheltenham.

"It's a race everybody would like to win and we've got plenty of chances."

McManus could have as many as five runners.

As well as Butler's Cabin from Jonjo O'Neill's stable, his other possibles are Can't Buy Time and Reveillez, also trained by O'Neill, plus Enda Bolger's L'Ami and Hobbs Hill from Charles Egerton's yard.

"I'd say, all being well, they'll hopefully all arrive there safe and sound," Berry continued.

"L'Ami ran a cracker in the cross-country chase at Cheltenham. There were no excuses, he was beaten by a better one (stablemate Garde Champetre) on the day.

"I don't know what happened to him last year in the National when he fell, but he seems to be in good form and he'll go there fit and well.

"Can't Buy Time ran well in four-miler at Cheltenham. He's come out of the race really good and I'd say at he moment he'll probably take his chance."

Berry got round the famous course several times as a jockey in the 1970s and went close as a trainer when saddling Laura's Beau to finish third behind Party Politics in 1992.

Carrying the McManus colours, Laura's Beau fell at Becher's two years later.

"Laura's Beau ran twice in it for me," recalled Berry.

"He ran a blinder the first year and was third. The ground was a little bit quick for him, but he came home very well."

Jockeys have to be found for the McManus entry but Berry does not expect any trouble on that score.

"Getting jockeys to ride the horses won't be a problem and of course AP (McCoy) has the choice of them all.

"It's a great occasion and it's nice to be there with a few runners."

It would also be a popular outcome should the McManus colours of emerald green, orange and white be carried to a glorious triumph.