Racing: Manager can take charge

A cast off from Henrietta Knight's all-conquering stable looks the best bet at the early prices for this year's Grand National. Be My Manager, sold out of Knight's stable for 54,000 guineas at Doncaster's May sales, is as short as 33-1 with William Hill but 50-1 with Coral and Ladbrokes for Aintree.

Revitalised by a move to the stable of Martin Todhunter, the nine-year-old remains towards the bottom of the handicap. Todhunter was just about the only person yesterday delighted with the handicapper's work. "I'm pleased with 10st 2lb. Be My Manager is going the right way, the National will be his target and he goes on good ground."

Despite his negative comments yesterday, the Aintree expert Nigel Twiston-Davies has a couple of live candidates in the 2002 winner Bindaree and the rapidly improving Whereareyouknow. They are available at 25-1 and 40-1 respectively.