Betting
JP McMANUS: Owner represented by 7 runners in Grimes Hurdle
Popular owner JP McManus is well-represented at Tipperary on Thursday afternoon
All-time leading Cheltenham Festival owner JP McManus is represented by seven contenders in Thursday’s Grade 3 Kevin McManus Bookmaker Grimes Hurdle at Tipperary.
Nine hopefuls in total have been declared with McManus chancing his arm with the majority of the field, three of which are from Joseph O’Brien’s yard.
Former Festival winner Band Of Outlaws has his first start over hurdles in just under two years after making a pleasing return to the track on the flat at Naas last month, while A Wave Of The Sea reverts back to timber after winning twice as a novice chaser.
Darasso, meanwhile, chases the hat-trick after back-to-back wins since his County Hurdle outing in March.
Mark Walsh sides with Desmond McDonogh’s Hearts Are Trumps from the McManus string, with the effervescent Rachael Blackmore partnering Winter Escape.
Former Paul Nicholls gelding Modus is saddled by Enda Bolger, with Magic Tricks and Robbie Power completing the green-and-gold domination.
Norman Lee’s Sole Pretender, who finished fifth in the Grade 1 Champion Stayers Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival, with Effernock Fizz completing the field.
