Cerberus snapped up by McManus Leading Triumph Hurdle hope Cerberus will race in the colours of JP McManus on his next start. Previously owned by the Good Counsellors Syndicate, which in the main is made up of past pupils of the Good Counsel College in New Ross, the chestnut gelding has transformed since switching to hurdles. Without a win in six starts on the level, the Joseph O’Brien trained son of Iffraaj finished a fine second on his debut over flights, before registering an impressive success on his next start at Fairyhouse. He returned to the Co Meath venue to land the Grade 3 BARONERACING.COM Juvenile Hurdle, where he beat the McManus owned A Wave Of The Sea into second. Irish Rugby international Tadhg Furlong and Kilkenny hurling star Walter Walsh are among the members of the Good Counsellors Syndicate and Aidan O'Brien, deputy principal of the Good Counsel College and head of the grouping commented: "We had him leased from Annemarie O'Brien. "We always operated on the understanding that the horse was for sale and that if an offer came in for him he would be sold. We had an agreement to that effect. "Obviously that didn't look likely at certain stages. He was very disappointing on the level at Gowran and it was hard to know which direction he was going to go. "We gelded him after that and sent him hurdling. Straightaway you could tell that his hurdling form was going to surpass that of his flat form. "After he won in Fairyhouse the first day we were getting a bit nervous that a move might be made for him, but thankfully that didn't happen and he went on and won the Grade 3 which was fantastic. "Joseph gave me a call a couple of days later and said JP was after coming in for him and he was going to buy him. Business is business. "We had great days with him and we are very grateful to Joseph and Annemarie O'Brien for putting us into the horse. "While we are disappointed to see him move on, we are grateful for the good days we had with him and we wish JP the very best of luck. We will still follow him with great interest. "We might have another runner now over the Christmas period. We are not resting on our laurels. The Good Counsel don't give in easy and we'll be hoping to take on JP again."
