McManus again holds strong hand in Leinster National The €100,000 BARONERACING.COM Leinster National Handicap Chase at Naas on March 13 looks set to be a typically competitive renewal with three of the first four home from last year among the 36 entries. The Tom Mullins-trained Scoir Mear led home a 1-2-3 for owner JP McManus 12 months ago beating Ten Ten by two lengths and the latter’s trainer Philip Dempsey again has the race in mind following an encouraging run over hurdles last weekend. “The Leinster National is definitely an option for Ten Ten,” said locally based Dempsey. “He ran very well in the race last year and I was delighted to see him run so well in Fairyhouse on Saturday when he finished second over hurdles. He seems to be coming back to himself. “He came out of the race well. The Leinster National is a good race with a nice pot and is definitely an option.” McManus has ten entries in total with the likes of A Wave Of The Sea, Champagne Platinum, Alfa Mix and Glenloe also in the mix. The first two home in the Thyestes Chase - Longhouse Poet and Franco De Port - are two towards the top of the weights with the latter one of six entries by champion trainer Willie Mullins. Death Duty, winner of the National Trial at Punchestown last month, is among seven entries from the Gordon Elliott yard, while Matthew Smith has given Ronald Pump the option of switching from hurdles. Bar One Racing’s Barney O’Hare said, “We're delighted to see a strong entry for the Baroneracing.com Leinster National. There's a nice mix of seasoned handicappers and novices entered in the race and we look forward to another exciting renewal. “It's the final Irish fixture before Cheltenham and there should be a great buzz in anticipation of a massive week for racing.”
