JP McManus once again proved why he is the most powerful owner in jump racing, claiming the Leading Owner award at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival with a remarkable four wins, four seconds and three thirds across the four days. For those tracking starting prices and live market movers, the McManus operation offered plenty of interest throughout the week, with winners returned at a range of prices across the card. Here is a look at each of his four winners and what they achieved.
Saratoga: Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, day one
The McManus account was up and running on the opening afternoon when Saratoga, trained by Padraig Roche and ridden by Mark Walsh, landed the Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at 10/1. The four-year-old Camelot gelding travelled strongly throughout, challenged after two out, and led narrowly just before the last before asserting on the run-in to win with a bit in hand.
It was a result that underlined the value of horse racing betting ante-post markets: Saratoga started at double figures despite the McManus silks, having opened at 9/1. The race also featured two other McManus-owned juveniles in Manlaga (7th, 13/2) and Mustang Du Breuil (8th, 7/2 favourite), meaning the owner had runners filling first, seventh and eighth in the same contest.
Johnnywho: Ultima Handicap Chase, day one
McManus would not have to wait long for his second winner. Just 40 minutes after Saratoga crossed the line, Johnnywho provided a remarkable follow-up in the Ultima Handicap Chase, returning at 18/1 under Richie McLernon for the Jonjo and AJ O’Neill yard.
It completed a remarkable 1-2 for the owner, with the 3/1 favourite Jagwar, trained by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, finishing half a length behind in second. A third McManus runner, Iroko, had been sent off at 13/2 but disappointed in 10th.
Meetmebythesea: Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2), day three
The third winner came on day three when Meetmebythesea, a six-year-old Watar gelding trained by Ben Pauling and ridden by Ben Jones, landed the Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2) at 9/1. The winner showed a marked step forward in form, with trainer Pauling pointing to the step up in trip from two miles to two miles four furlongs as a key factor, alongside the better ground compared to the horse’s previous run at Newbury.
Meetmebythesea made much of the running, led again at the 10th fence, and pulled clear with Gold Dancer from the Gigginstown House Stud before asserting on the run-in to win by just under five lengths. Another McManus runner, Stencil, finished 10th.
Dinoblue: Mares’ Chase (Grade 2), day four
The standout result of the week from a McManus perspective came on the final day, when Dinoblue successfully defended her title in the Mares’ Chase (Grade 2). The nine-year-old mare, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Walsh, was sent off the 11/8 favourite and delivered a dominant performance, leading four out and going three lengths clear at the last before being ridden out to win comfortably from Only By Night.
It was a second consecutive victory in the race for Dinoblue and a fitting way to close out what was another fine Cheltenham Festival for her owner, who took home the Leading Owner title for yet another year.