No problems for McManus at Taunton

Taunton’s meeting today passed off without incident despite the threat of disruption by Manchester United fans angered at the involvement of Irish racing tycoon JP McManus in financial in-fighting at Old Trafford.

The only problem for legendary gambler McManus, who had two runners but was not at the track, was that one of them ended up with a bloody nose.

The Independent Manchester United Supporters’ Association has urged fans to attend race meetings where McManus and Coolmore supremo John Magnier have runners “so they can leave them in no doubt about what they think of their attempts to destabilise the club”.

Magnier and McManus have a 25.49% stake in Manchester United through their company Cubic Expression and have demanded answers from the club over its financial affairs.

Reports that the Somerset track would step up security to combat the threat from fans proved unfounded.

Several camera crews were present, but Taunton police insisted only the usual quota of men had been assigned to racecourse duty.

And when Hawk’s Landing returned with blood streaming from his nostrils, it was only because of a heavy fall in the Orchard Restaurant Novices’ Chase.

After Hawk’s Landing’s mishap Robert Bellamy, representing Jonjo O’Neill, who trains the McManus horses, reported that the grey had enjoyed a trouble-free journey from his Jackdaws Castle base in Gloucestershire.

Bellamy said: “I haven’t noticed anything different except that Taunton has increased its crowd with all the camera crews that are here.

“They rushed up to take pictures of Hawk’s Landing when they saw the blood, but it was caused when his head hit the floor, causing both nostrils to bleed.”