JP McManus Horses: Five-To-Follow With an array of jumping stars carrying the famous green and gold about to emerge over the coming months, the following JP McManus-owned quintet should be hopefully delivering over the 2026/27 jumps season. MAJBOROUGH (Willie Mullins) It ended badly for the 6yo on his last two runs after he looked invincible when defeating Marine Nationale at the DRF by an emphatic 19 lengths in the Grade 1 Dublin Chase. Since winning the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival in 2024, two subsequent visits to the Cotswolds in the Arkle (2025) and the Champion Chase last March saw him become a bookies benefit, suffering odds-on defeats on both occasions after his jumping had let him down. Before next March expect him to put his best foot forward again and he might be capable of going one place better than 12 months ago should he turn out again in the Hilly Way at Cork on December 6. MEETMEBYTHESEA (Ben Pauling) Came into his own when he made the transition to fences and finished last season with a career-best effort when winning at the Cheltenham festival. Inconvenienced by the testing conditions when trailing home last of six in the Game Spirit won by hot favourite Lulamba, he travelled and jumped on a sounder surface the following month when winning the Jack Richards off a mark of 139. He defeated subsequent Aintree Mildmay winner Gold Dancer (Willie Mullins) into second with the third Regent’s Stroll (Paul Nicholls) filling the runner-up berth in that aforementioned Aintree contest afterwards. The fourth home at Cheltenham King Alexander landed the Galway Plate in July for Willie Mullins who also had the fifth Kiss Will who was in contention when falling three out in the Irish National last April. Only a six-year-old and raised 12lb to 151 it’s a short price he’ll end up back at the Cheltenham festival next March but in the meantime could be knocking on the door and could be an outside wager if turning up in the King George at Christmas. MIGHTY PARK (Willie Mullins) Flopped in the Supreme Novices’ last March after drifting alarmingly (4/1-13/2) in the market on his second start since joining the champion trainer. His tall reputation since finishing runner-up in his sole point-to-point start was enhanced further with a bloodless maiden hurdle victory at Fairyhouse, scoring by no less than 38 lengths from stable companion Roc Dino who has won twice over hurdles since. With plans now around a chasing career this son of Walk In The Park could well be one to keep on the right side over the coming months in the novice chasing division. NARCISO HAS (Willie Mullins) Ruled out of the Cheltenham festival after meeting a setback the month before, connections had hoped he’d make it back for the Punchestown festival but he bypassed that too in the end. When he landed a Grade 2 at Leopardstown last Christmas he was installed the clear favourite for the Triumph. After he returned to the Dublin track and added a Grade 1 to his tally, he was many peoples idea of the Irish banker at the festival only to pick up a minor injury. Bypassing Punchestown was probably a wise move and it’s hoped he’ll return to complete some unfinished business over hurdles at the top level. PROACTIF (Willie Mullins) A French recruit who relished a testing surface when winning over two-and-quarter miles before joining the champion trainer, he duly obliged on his first start since coming to Ireland last January. What happened at Cheltenham two months later after going off the well-backed market leader in the Triumph was disappointing with no valid excuse offered by connections afterwards and the on-course vet had nothing to report. It was all left behind when he made amends in a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse on his return and given his size he could be an exciting novice chaser this season.
