Bookmakers braced for JP McManus birthday bonanza with ‘best team ever’

It could prove a 75th birthday to remember for legendary owner JP McManus, as bookmakers brace themselves for a green-and-gold onslaught on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.

While Willie Mullins multiples also have the layers facing their traditional Closutton-themed liabilities on day one, this time the Festival’s leading owner may do most damage to the satchels with a host of chances across the first seven races of the meeting.

Ireland’s talking horse Mighty Park will represent the McManus team in the opening Skybet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and with Dan Skelton’s The New Lion among the favourites for the feature Unibet Champion Hurdle, Sir Anthony McCoy is positive about the claims of some of the McManus leading lights.

“It’s the best team of horses JP has ever had for the Festival, but it doesn’t mean they are all going to win,” remarked McCoy, who as well as being a former number one rider for McManus, remains a key part of his team.

“The Champion Hurdle is very open and there’s three very good mares in there.

“The New Lion did fall at Newcastle and some people have said he visually hasn’t been that impressive, but I think a bit like a Hardy Eustace or an Istabraq and some of those good horses who have come back to the Champion Hurdle after winning the longer race as a novice, he deserves to be favourite.”

Outside of the opening day’s graded events, it is the handicaps in which McManus could thrive.

Strong hands are assembled in both the McCoy Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle with Padraig Roach’s Saratoga and the Nicky Henderson-trained pair Manlaga and Mustang Du Breuil, while in the Ultima the Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero-trained duo of Iroko and Jagwar are locked at the head of the betting.

“He’s got a few nice chances in the Fred Winter and in the Ultima you have Iroko and Jagwar,” continued William Hill ambassador McCoy.

“I read that the team think Iroko wouldn’t get near Jagwar if they were working together, but then it is a three-mile chase with fences in the way.

“I’m not sure which one I would want to ride and I don’t think it was that clear-cut, but I really like Iroko as a horse even though he has to give weight to Jagwar. Hopefully some of them will win for JP.”

Emmet Mullins’ McLaurey in the Sun Racing Plate Handicap Chase is also prominent in the betting on day one and with a McManus domination possible, Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield admitted the firm will be taking a cautious approach, as they offer only 7-2 for McManus to have three or more winners on Tuesday.

Binfield said: “Incredibly the legendary owner and gambler has three favourites in Saratoga, Jagwar and McLaurey as well as two second-favourites in Mighty Park and The New Lion, who is very close to pole position in the feature Champion Hurdle, on the first day.

“We’re battening down the hatches as we expect punters to latch on to the famous green and gold colours in both singles and multiples in no uncertain terms, especially as the Irishman is a mere 8-11 to own two or more winners on Tuesday.”