McManus on track but Bishop grabs spotlight

JP McManus was back on a racecourse yesterday and enjoyed a low-profile afternoon at Sandown Park with no sign of interference from aggrieved Manchester United supporters.

And while there was no winner to welcome, his trainer Jonjo O’Neill scored when the well-backed Bold Bishop readily landed the Allied Bank (GB) Novices’ Hurdle.

Transport problems meant that Barry Geraghty arrived at the course with only minutes to spare before piloting Bold Bishop to victory, to the delight of punters who followed a strong market move.

Sightings of legendary gambler McManus may have helped to explain the move which saw the winner suported at all rates down from 5-4 to 8-11.

The gelding always travelled well and only had to be shaken up by Geraghty readily to account for Simoun by three lengths.

“My plane was put back from 10.20 to 11.30 and then didn’t leave for another hour, so it was touch and go,” said the Irish jockey.

“I just got here in time, but it was a lot easier in the race – he jumped well and won it well and is a nice horse.”

O’Neill commented: “He was a bit of a nervous horse when he was younger but he seems to be enjoying himself more now.

“It is sticky old ground out there but he kept on going and he will make a chaser one day.”

Ladbrokes cut the winner from 25-1 to 16-1 for the Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, although O’Neill also has the option of the Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle under consideration for the winner.

Paul Nicholls has another busy weekend ahead of him with runners across the country and he warmed up by sending out Great Travel to take the day’s most valuable contest, the £20,000 Durkan Group Chase.

Only five, Great Travel showed signs of inexperience during the final stages as he idled in front, but Bobby McNally kept the 4-1 chance going to hold favourite Old Marsh, who stayed on well having lost his place badly when slightly hampered before the fourth-last fence.

“He jumped well and even though he was pricking his ears a bit, it was a good performance,” said Nicholls’ assistant Jeremy Young.

Leith Hill Star (9-2) was another popular winner for punters when she made all to win the Foundation Developments Handicap Hurdle.

The Richard Rowe-trained mare has turned in a host of consistent efforts of late and stayed on stoutly when challenged up the home straight.

“I was beginning to forget what it was like to be in the winner’s enclosure, but they haven’t been running badly and she deserved to win this,” smiled Rowe.

“We had three disappointing years with this mare but happily the owner has got as much stamina as her!”

Grand Finale defied top weight to lift the opening Allied Irish Bank (GB) Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle and maintain the good form of Venetia Williams’ yard.

The seven-year-old looks a fair prospect and has now won three of his last four starts for new connections.

Sent off a 3-1 chance, he led over the second-last flight and pulled gradually clear from favourite Pardishar to score by six lengths.

“He is entered at Doncaster next week and wouldn’t get a penalty because this was a conditionals race, so we will have to think about going there,” said the winning trainer.

Tricky customer Flinders Chase put his head in front where it mattered to take the following Devine IAC Novices’ Chase.

The well-supported 5-2 chance frequently finds less than expected when in front, so Noel Fehily took the decision to leave his challenge until the very last moment.

And the plan was executed perfectly when the Charlie Mann-trained gelding got up in the last stride to beat Tanikos by a short head.

“It was a cool ride, wasn’t it?” smiled Mann. “In some ways we are caught a little bit between novice chases and handicaps as he went up 14lb for winning his first race this season at Exeter.

“But the race that I am thinking about is the Topham Trophy (at Aintree) as he is such a great little jumper.”

Curtins Hill (9-2) was another to put up a fine display of fencing on his way to winning the Allied Irish Bank (GB) Novices’ Handicap Chase.

It was future chasers on display in the closing bumper, the race going to the well-backed 7-4 favourite Royal Paradise.

Winning trainer Francois Doumen, who also won the race two years ago with Boca Boca, will be hoping this half-brother to the well-regarded Royal Rosa has a bright future after he showed plenty of guts to score under his son, Thierry.