DAY OF FAME FOR McMANUS
ON the day that legendary owner JP McManus, 71, was inducted into the Aintree Hall of Fame, it was fitting he celebrated five Grade One victories at the racecourse this week.
Two of those winners were toasted yesterday when Gentleman De Mee, partnered by Mark Walsh, set the ball rolling in the Poundland Maghull Novices’ Chase for trainer Willie Mullins.
Edwardstone, the 4-7 favourite, was expected to take the prize but he was clearly feeling the effects of his success at Cheltenham last month and finished a leg-weary second.
McManus followed up when 16-1 shot Sire De Berlais sprang a surprise by proving too strong for Flooring Porter in the JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle.
Gavin Cromwell, the trainer of Flooring Porter, the 11-8 favourite, was philosophical in defeat.
“I thought he was a bit gassy and fresh going to the start and then again in the race itself,” he said.
“I hope we can bring him back to Cheltenham for another crack at a third victory in the Stayers’ Hurdle next year.”
Reflecting on his success at the track and the Grand National, McManus said: “I didn’t come here until 1976 when Rag Trade won that year’s National. Then I was here for all of them except for the year of Foot and Mouth Disease in 2001.
“I’ve had some wonderful memories here and it would be unfair to pick one over the others – but the day that Don’t Push It won the National in 2010 was very, very special.
“We’ve had a few disappointments, but you just celebrate the wins and forget about everything else.
“I love it, I look forward to it very much. And I hope that my grandkids who are here this year – all of them except my namesake, JP – I hope they want to come every year.
“It’s lovely to have them here.”