Speculation grows on O’Neill’s future at Jackdaws Castle

SPECULATION as to the future of top National Hunt trainer Jonjo O’Neill mounted yesterday when J P McManus’s racing manager, Frank Berry, refused to quash rumours that O’Neill is soon to be replaced at Jackdaws Castle.

The powerful string housed at the state of the art establishment in Temple Guiting was plagued with a virus throughout last winter that forced O’Neill to cease operations for two months, prompting racecourse speculation that a new tenant would be installed at the end of the summer.

When asked to deny reports that have been circulating for weeks, Berry declined to give O’Neill a vote of confidence or confirm that it was business as usual.