More of the same as Mangan plots Monty’s route to Aintree
Mangan revealed that the reason for Monty's apparent lack of 'sparkle' at home - which led to his not travelling, as intended, to Haydock Park last Sunday - had since come to light in the shape of an abscess on the side of his face. With the abscess now after breaking through the skin, he is well on the road to recovery and advertised his well being by throwing a few bucks that put his jockey for the morning, Norman Williamson, to the test.
Not too many are renowned for that and Williamson, who referred to the National winner's reactions as "like lightning," quipped "you'd have to be up early in the morning for him" - that a compliment in itself to the horse's regular work-rider, Mangan's wife Mary.
With the rains having finally arrived in no uncertain fashion, Monty's Pass is now on holidays until the first of January. His trainer explained that running him on ground he doesn't enjoy would be of benefit to no one - especially the horse who, at this stage of his career, knows his job inside out.
From then on, he will follow a similar route to that of last year, which is likely to mean a couple of runs over hurdles before an attempt to retain his crown. Although Mangan acknowledges the difficulty of the task ahead, he is optimistic that the horse is up to the challenge:
"The odds are stacked against me, but if the horse is anything like he was last year, he'll run well".
It is near impossible to pin down what makes these equine stars great, with each new champion apparently having different qualities to the last.
However, by comparison with dual Gold Cup hero Best Mate, Monty's laid-back attitude and technique over an obstacle are two of his biggest advantages. As Mangan, when asked what makes him so special, pointed out: "He's got a great temperament and a big plus is his jumping".
His wife went on to state that an obvious bonus is the fact that he has "always been straightforward, healthy and sound" - if nothing else, it makes their job a lot easier.
Before the crowd scattered, Mangan also paraded a bunch of youngsters, most of whom still have the 'For Sale' sign beside their name.
A Beneficial four-year-old particularly caught the eye in a stable full of horses which he claims, thanks largely to his Aintree triumph, are of better quality than in previous years - a fair statement, considering this is the man who has had the likes of Amble Speedy and Bindaree through his hands, as well as having foaled the great Dawn Run - to name but a few.
Endless functions and charity appearances now fill the Mangans' calendar and, in typical gentlemanly fashion, Jimmy is quick to apologise to all the people he couldn't accommodate.
He reminds us that he still has a business to run and that the horse too is not yet retired. Both Mary and Jimmy admit that their lives haven't been the same since their achievement last April, but they are not likely to change much about the way they go about their business.
Primarily this is a breeding and dealing establishment and that is the way it will stay in the main - if they happen to hang on to another Monty's Pass in the process, well and good - but it's unlikely to be for want of more glory.
Jimmy's home is situated alongside a Church of Ireland chapel and, as we were about to leave the East Cork stable yesterday, a journalist from across the pond asked if he minded living next to a grave yard. Jimmy replied - and not for the first time - that he "has no problem with the people in there, it's the people on top of the ground you have to watch."
