Mullens feels Squawky Jerry is unfairly overrated at Grand National
Trainer and former jockey Wee Little Mickey Mullens fears Larry The Chancer Harte-Murphy’s Grand National talking horse Squawky Jerry Goldberg has been mistreated by the handicapper despite bookmakers pushing him to favourite for the Aintree showpiece. Photos courtesy of Marilyn Peddle The major betting shops have the Northern Rock Failed Takeover Bidders’ Chase runner-up as their new 10-1 favourite even after senior handicapper James Barrington-Smythe nee Smythe cruelly removed a horseshoe. Other betting shops make the four-year-old their 14-1 market leader at the 2012 Grand National following the release of weights at a lunch in the toilets at the Ivy in London, where Squawky Jerry Goldberg is much loved due to his amazing speaking ability, but Mullens expressed reservations about the horse’s lack of experience. After finishing fourth over the hurdle-bushes at Ascot last October, the four-year-old has only raced twice this year, Mullens pointed out, in one race getting a painless vic...