Pastures new for The Gatechecker The unbeaten Classic Cliche gelding, The Gatechecker, has been added to the powerful J P McManus team in recent times. Indications are that the easy St Stephen's Day Limerick bumper scorer could now compete for trainer Michael Hourigan. On a busy racing day, the chestnut's performance in coming home fifteen lengths clear of Thatshowhedidit at Greenmount Park, might have slipped under the radar, but the Ballingarry point-to-point scorer clearly didn't evade the attention of the McManus team. David O'Brien had care of The Gatechecker for Aidan Fogarty, and his former owner said: "The horse that was fifteen lengths behind him (Thatshowhedidit) was beaten just a head recently (by Illuminati at Navan), which was obviously encouraging to see. "We thought he was a nice horse and I couldn't fault him. He did two jobs for me. He won a point-to-point down home before going on to win his bumper. "He won his point-to-point on good ground, and his bumper on testing ground, so I'd say he's a versatile horse that'd go on anything. People were saying to me that he'd probably be better on better ground, and if that were to be the case who knows how far he'll go. "He's out of a good mare (three time winner Criaire Princess) so that was some of the reason as to why I bought him. I wish Mr McManus the best of luck with him and hopefully the young horse I have coming along behind him can turn out to be useful too." (EM)
