McManus snaps up Marhaba Million
Confirming the sale at Gowran Park yesterday, McManus’s racing manager, Frank Berry, said: “We have bought the horse and he will remain in training with Eric McNamara.
“The plan is for him to go for the Cashmans Hurdle at Leopardstown on February 12. We will see how he gets on there before making any plans for Cheltenham.”
Meanwhile, Cashmans have indicated that Willie Mullins’ Ballytrim has been the medium of a major gamble with the firm for the Cheltenham Bumper.
Put in at 20-1, he was quickly shortened to 16-1 and that tightened further to 12-1 yesterday. Mullins, of course, has won that Cheltenham contest on five occasions in the past.
Ballytrim is by Luso and has run in two point-points, winning on his second appearance. He is reportedly set to make his racecourse debut at Leopardstown on Sunday.
