Check out the JP McManus Cheltenham Festival runners 2024 as we assess the leading owner’s main hopes this year with the likes of Jonbon and Fact To File set to be in action.
JP McManus Cheltenham Festival Runners 2024: The Main Chances
The green and gold silks of JP McManus have graced the Cheltenham Festival for a number of years now with the likes of Istabraq amongst others and he has another top chance of more winners this year.
With 73 winners, McManus is the most successful owner in Cheltenham Festival history. His first winner at the meeting came over 40 years ago when Mister Donovan won the 1982 Sun Alliance Novices’ Hurdle (now known as Baring Bingham/Gallagher).
See below some of the most highly-anticipated JP McManus Cheltenham Festival Runners 2024 as we list what race they’re heading to and what chance they hold.
Tuesday 12th March 2024 | Jeriko Du Reponet Hoping To Give JP Winning Start
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – JERIKO DU REPONET: Unbeaten under rules for the Nicky Henderson yard (three from three over hurdles), he’s a horse who has a good chance in the Festival opener. Last seen grinding out a victory at Doncaster in the Rossington, he beat a next time out winner in Lump Sum, with the form reading well from that contest. No reason why this French-bred gelding can’t be heavily involved and could be a solid each-way bet in the race.
Ultima Handicap Chase – MEETINGOFTHEWATERS: Confirmed as the latest purchase by JP McManus just a week before the Festival, the Willie Mullins-trained horse heads to the Ultima as the favourite, ahead of a tilt at the Grand National in April. Unseated when seen last, but completed a double over fences in November and December, including the listed Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown.
Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle – MILAN TINO: Yet to win under rules, but has ran four solid races at Auteuil and Cheltenham. Top French yard has just one entry at the festival and could be the answer in open looking race. Has finished 3rd on both visits to Cheltenham when sent over by Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm, beaten by Burdett Road first and then Sir Gino. That form looks solid behind two horses who clearly have a bright future ahead of them.
National Hunt Novices’ Chase – CORBETTS CROSS: Ran out in the Albert Bartlett last year, but has had a steady start to his Chasing career, with form figures of 3-1-2-f. He fell last time out in a four-runner contest at Fairyhouse when sent off as 1/4 favourite, jumping left in the process. One of just four runners for Emmet Mullins at the Festival and should be in the mix.
Wednesday 13th March 2024 | Is Fact To File A Day Two Banker?
Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase – FACT TO FILE: Going straight over fences seems to have been a good decision so far by Willie Mullins as one of his brightest novices looks destined for bigger things. Fact To File has won two out of three of his chase starts, and the only time he was beaten was in a Beginners Chase behind American Mike back in November and he has improved massively since then. Connections think highly of him, and see the seven-year-old as a future Gold Cup winner.
Coral Cup – NO ORDINARY JOE: Hasn’t been at his best so far this season, but finished second in the Martin Pipe last year and is in good form according to trainer Nicky Henderson. Stayed on well at Kempton in February to finish fifth but looks well handicapped for the Coral Cup and should give it a solid effort. Could be one of a couple of McManus-owned runners in the field, and is his leading chance.
Champion Chase – JONBON: Beaten a neck on his recent start in the rearranged Clarence House Chase where a couple of jumping errors seemingly cost him the contest. Despite that defeat, he still holds a fascinating record with 12 wins from 15 career runs, (seven from nine over fences) and he could still be the best bet against old rival El Fabiolo, who is currently the market leader. If he can cut out the mistakes then we should see a top rematch between the two at the top of the betting.
Thursday 14th March 2024 | Iroko To Make A Winning Return?
Turners Novices’ Chase – IROKO: After originally being ruled out for the season, Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero’s charge looks to have made a recovery and heads back to Cheltenham with aspirations of winning at the festival for a second season in a row. He also has an unbeaten record over fences after making a winning start at Warwick back in November on seasonal debut.
Ryanair Chase – CAPODANNO: Won the Cotswold Chase well on Trials Day in what was a hot race, the Ryanair now looks to be his final prep race before a tilt at the Aintree Grand National in April. Can be involved with his versatility for the Mullins team. Goes down in trip for this, but that should bring no problem for a horse who is expected to be held up at the back of the pack. Sharp turn of foot.
Stayers’ Hurdle – SIRE DU BERLAIS: Won this race last year in fine fashion, getting older but can’t be ruled out. Could be one of three runners for his trainer Gordon Elliott. Made seasonal reappearance at Navan in February, but was left detached, beaten 25 lengths in the end. However, that was in very testing conditions and this 12-year-old is much more suited to firmer ground.
Plate Handicap Chase – CREBILLY: Won at third time of asking over fences when last seen in February. Landed a Class 2 contest at Exeter in a gutsy finish and is well fancied in this race. Heavily suited by race conditions and should be given a prominent ride from jockey to aid his claims in the contest.
Friday 15th March 2024 | JP Hoping To End On A High
Triumph Hurdle – MAJBOROUGH: Only raced once in Ireland since moving to the Willie Mullins yard and finished third in a Grade 1 Juvenile hurdle at Leopardstown. Didn’t run a bad race at all there and showed promise. Connections say he has lots of ability and that was shown when winning on rules debut in France last April.
Mares’ Chase – DINOBLUE: Hot ante post betting favourite for this race since picking up four wins on the bounce over fences including Grade 1 win back in December 2023. Was last seen finishing just over eight lengths behind the classy El Fabiolo at the Dublin Racing Festvial. This seems shallower waters than what she has been running in and looks like the one to beat.
Every JP McManus Cheltenham Festival 2024 Entry
Note – not all will run and entries are correct as of March 4th 2024 with some horses having multiple entries.
Tuesday 12th March
- Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – No Flies On Him
- Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – Jeriko Du Reponet
- Ultima Handicap Chase – Meetingofthewaters
- Ultima Handicap Chase – Crebilly
- Ultima Handicap Chase – Inothewayurthinkin
- Champion Hurdle – Under Control
- Mares’ Hurdle – Zenta
- Mares’ Hurdle – Under Control
- Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle – Nara
- Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hudle – Milan Tino
- National Hunt Novices’ Chase – Corbetts Cross
Wednesday 13th March
- Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle – Johnnywho
- Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle – No Flies On Him
- Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase – Fact To File
- Coral Cup – Thedevilscoachman
- Coral Cup – No Ordinary Joe
- Coral Cup – Magic Tricks
- Coral Cup – Brazil
- Coral Cup – Petit Tonnerre
- Coral Cup – Sa Majeste
- Champion Chase – Jonbon
- Champion Chase – Gentleman De Mee
- Grand Annual Handicap Chase – In Excelsis Deo
Thursday 14th March
- Turners Novices’ Chase – Fact To File
- Turners Novices’ Chase – Iroko
- Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle – Chantry House
- Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle – Thanksforthehelp
- Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle – Icare Allen
- Ryanair Chase – Janidil
- Ryanair Chase – Capodanno
- Stayers’ Hurdle – Sire Du Berlais
- Stayers’ Hurdle – Champ
- Stayers’ Hurdle – Janidil
- Plate Handicap Chase – Crebilly
- Plate Handicap Chase – Saint Roi
- Plate Handicap Chase – Ciel De Neige
- Plate Handicap Chase – In Excelsis Deo
- Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle – Birdie Or Bust
- Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle – Joyeuse
- Kim Muir Handicap Chase – A Wave Of The Sea
- Kim Muir Handicap Chase – Perceval Legallois
- Kim Muir Handicap Chase – Inothewayurthinkin
Friday 15th March
- Triumph Hurdle – Marjorough
- County Handicap Hurdle – Magic Tricks
- County Handicap Hurdle – So Scottish
- County Handicap Hurdle – Comfort Zone
- County Handicap Hurdle – Petit Tonerre
- County Handicap Hurdle – Risk Belle
- County Handicap Hurdle – Zenta
- County Handicap Hurdle – Impose Toi
- County Handicap Hurdle – Iberico Lord
- County Handicap Hurdle – Under Control
- Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle – Johnnywho
- Mares’ Chase – Limerick Lace
- Mares’ Chase – Dinoblue
- Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle – No Ordinary Joe
- Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle – Magic Tricks
- Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle – Thanksforthehelp
- Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle – Comfort Zone
- Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle – Petit Tonnere
- Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle – Sa Majeste
- Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle – Waterford Whispers
That concludes the JP McManus Cheltenham Festival 2024 runners.
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