TOP trainer Ciaron Maher rates Flying Agent as the one his tough jumper Bit Of A Lad must beat to win the $150,000 3YB FM Brierly Steeplechase at Warrnambool on Tuesday.
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Bit Of A Lad, who won the 2019 Brierly carrying 66 kilograms, will have to lump 70kg while Flying Agent has 65kg in Tuesday's jumps feature over 3450 metres.
Champion jumps jockey Steve Pateman has the ride on Bit Of A Lad and is chasing his fifth victory in the time-honoured event.
"I'm very happy how Bit Of A Lad is going leading into the Brierly," Maher, who was raised in Winslow, told The Standard.
"He's having his first run in this campaign but he has a solid fitness foundation.
"Bit Of A Lad has been in work since September and the Brierly was always the first-up goal.
"I've been happy with his jumps trials leading into the race.
"The staff at our Ballarat stable including my brother Declan and the treadmill boys have done a remarkable job to have Bit Of A Lad in great shape for a first-up tilt at the Brierly."
Maher said he was aware Bit Of A Lad would have challengers.
"Bit Of A Lad is the class runner of the field. We've got Steve riding Bit Of A Lad and that's a real bonus," he said.
"I've got a healthy respect for Flying Agent. He's the young jumper on the way up and has a good record.
"His trainer Amy McDonald has set Flying Agent at this race.
"He's being trialling up very well and has 65kg.
"It looks like Bit Of A Lad and Flying Agent are the two best hopes.
"Police Camp comes into the race if we get a bit of rain."
Maher, who trains in partnership with David Eustace, has won the Brierly Steeplechase at his home track on four occasions.
He trained Al Garhood to win in 2008 and 2009 while Palmero was successful in 2014 and then Bit Of A Lad won in 2019.
Pateman's Brierly winners are Some Are Bent (2010), Palmero (2014), Zed Em (2017) and Bit Of A Lad in 2019.
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