FAMOUS DAY FOR JP
ON the day that legendary owner JP Mcmanus was inducted into the Aintree Hall of Fame, it was fitting that the 71-year-old enoyed two winners, which made it five Grade One victories at the racecourse this week.
Yesterday, 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 legweary second.
Mcmanus followed up when 16-1 shot Sire De Berlais, trained by Gordon Elliott, 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 season.”
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 2001, the year of Foot and Mouth Disease.
“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.”
Earlier, Three Stripe Life finally claimed a Grade One victory in the Betway Mersey Novices’ Hurdle.
Gordon Elliott’s charge had finished second at the highest level on his three previous runs, chasing home Mighty Potter on the first occasion before finding Sir Gerhard too good at both Leopardstown and Cheltenham on his last two outings.
With Willie Mullins’ superstar not in opposition this time, Three Stripe Life was the 5-2 favourite in the hands of Davy Russell and made the most of the chance in this two-anda-half-mile contest.
He was well in control jumping the last and while Might I tried to put up a fight on the run to the line,three Stripe Life was just too good, coming home by four and three-quarter lengths. North Lodge was third, beaten a further three and three-quarter lengths.