JP McManus buys huge Cheltenham Festival favourite just days before race from ‘the shrewdest guy in racing’
JP McMANUS has made a major Cheltenham Festival move - by buying a red-hot favourite just days before the race.
The legendary Irish billionaire has dipped into his pockets again to pinch Meetingofthewaters, the 5-1 favourite for the Ultima.
Clever operator Paul Byrne - who has been dubbed 'the shrewdest guy in racing' - was the previous owner of the horse.
But according to the BHA website, McManus was listed as owner for the 3m handicap chase taking place on day one next Tuesday.
The seven-year-old gelding is trained by Willie Mullins and has an entry in the Grand National too.
Corach Rambler did the Ultima-Grand National double last year and it looks like the plan is for Meetingofthewaters to follow suit.
This is not the first time McManus has bought a horse from Byrne, the son of a late bookie.
Similar to this year, McManus was listed as the new owner of Corbetts Cross six days before he raced at Cheltenham last year.
The horse was sent off 9-4 favourite for the Albert Bartlett but dramatically ran out at the last when looking like having every chance of winning.
Corbetts Cross is now 9-4 fav for the National Hunt Chase this year, where he will again run in the famous green and gold silks.
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Other former Byrne-owned horses to make their way to McManus include Filey Bay, So Scottish, Feronily and The Shunter.
The latter won a £100,000 bonus when victorious in the 2021 Plate at Cheltenham two weeks after landing the Morebattle at Kelso.
That resulted in a near £200,000 payday for his owner and trainer Emmet Mullins.
McManus bought the horse a day before he finished second at Aintree - but he has won only twice since.
McManus, undoubtedly the biggest owner in the sport, will head to Cheltenham with an army of top chances.
On the first day alone he has decent chances in the shape of Jeriko Du Reponet in the Supreme and Milan Tino in the Boodles.
While Corbetts Cross could make amends for his theatrics last time with victory in the National Hunt Chase.
He also has evens fav Fact To File in the Brown Advisory and Jonbon in the Champion Chase.
While Crebilly and Inothewayurthinkin will look to complete gambles in the Plate and Kim Muir respectively.
McManus added to his squad later on Wednesday by also snapping up 5-2 Hunters' Chase favourite Its On The Line.
The seven-year-old is trained by Emmet Mullins, a close friend of Byrne.
McManus' racing manager Frank Berry said regarding the two purchases: "Meetingofthewaters looks a nice progressive chaser and he was very good when winning the Paddy Power at Leopardstown over Christmas.
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"He was impressive there and looks like he's a decent chance next week.
"Its On The Line is a young horse and hopefully he's a few nice years ahead of himself."
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