Landmark win at Clonmel

The name McManus is already synonymous with the National Hunt game and another member of the family secured his first winner as an owner at Clonmel.

JP McManus’ gold and green silks have been carried by the likes of Istabraq, Baracouda and most recently Binocular but his son John had not managed to hit the mark prior to River Canon’s success in the Demense Maiden Hurdle.

Edward O’Grady’s charge, sporting all red colours, had finished fourth in a race won by Cousin Vinny at Leopardstown on Boxing Day.

Travelling well throughout on this occasion, he stretched away once given the office by Andrew McNamara to score by three lengths.

O’Grady said: “It is a privilege and an honour to train John’s first winner. He wasn’t able to come racing but he did escape to watch it in a pub.

“The horse won nicely and he’ll jump a fence later on.”