JP McManus is one of horse racing’s most committed owners and spends seemingly limitless amounts of money on horses every year. He has got the famous chequebook out once again, this time purchasing a 33/1 Cheltenham Festival contender. Gordon Elliott trains the horse in question and we’ll also take a look at what he said about him in his stable tour. We also provide free tips and content every day and you can check them out by clicking here.
This horse has a similar profile to Sire Du Berlais, who graduated from handicaps to win three Grade 1 races over hurdles, including the Stayers’ Hurdle in 2023. That being said, The Wallpark doesn’t quite have the same CV, as Sire Du Berlais had won the Pertemps Final twice before that.
He’s clearly a progressive type though and was an impressive winner of a Pertemps qualifier at Cheltenham last time out. A 7lb rise doesn’t look to inappropriate on that evidence and if he was to line up in the final, many would rightfully fancy his chances.
Currently available at 33/1 for the Stayers’ Hurdle in March, something like the Cleeve Hurdle could be a good race for him and you won’t get anything like those odds if he wins that.
Elliott was positively surprised by the impressive nature of his victory at Cheltenham in October. A step up in the class could beckon, as the trainer said: ‘He’s been brilliant and just keeps on winning and getting better. I originally had it in my head that he would be an ideal type for the Pertemps Final, but the way he won at Cheltenham on Saturday makes me think he deserves a shot at something better so maybe the Long Walk Hurdle or the Cleeve could be on the cards for him now.’
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