JP McManus is no stranger to wins on jumps racing’s biggest stages, and the Cheltenham Festival is certainly no exception. The Irish billionaire is the most successful owner in the meeting’s history, with over 70 winners, and he’s well on course to add to that tally this year.
Leading Trainer at the Festival on a regular basis, McManus has an incredibly strong team heading to Prestbury Park under the expert tutelage of an array of top trainers. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at four of his best chances at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival.
Fact To File – Ryanair Chase
While his sights might be lowered somewhat from his original target of the Gold Cup, Fact To File is still on course for a championship victory in the Ryanair Chase—where he’s the 6/4 favourite ahead of the likes of Il Est Francais and Energumene.
Fact To File lived up to his billing as an ante-post favourite in the Cheltenham Gold Cup odds in his first start in open company on reappearance at Punchestown in November, holding off fellow McManus-owned horse Spillane’s Tower by half-a-length with Galopin Des Champs in third.
However, the dual Gold Cup winner has proven far too strong for Fact To File on their last two meetings, with Galopin Des Champs comfortably finishing ahead of his stablemate in the Savills Chase and the Irish Gold Cup. The Ryanair Chase should be at his peril.
The New Lion – Turners’ Novices’ Hurdle
Set to race in the famous McManus colours for the first time at the Cheltenham Festival, The New Lion has been one of the most exciting novice hurdlers this season—winning on all three of his appearance over the smaller obstacles for Dan Skelton.
A bumper winner on his only start of last season, The New Lion won a maiden contest on his debut over hurdles at Chepstow in October before scoring in a novice hurdle at Newbury. However, he stepped it up a notch when landing the prestigious Grade 1 Challow in December.
That win over the Christmas period forced McManus to get the chequebook out, and he’ll be hoping for a return on his investment with a victory in the Turners’ Novices’ Hurdle. Although, favourite Final Demand will not be easy to beat.
