SEASON-ending setbacks for star names like Impervious, Inthepocket, Iroko and Indiana Dream - combined with the retirements of top mares Epatante and Elimay - would ravage the Grade 1 hopes of most ownership operations, yet J.P. McManus’ squad still looks brimming with quality as we kick off 2024.

The green and gold have been assembling an army of promising youngsters for some time, and the current crop looks to have every bit as much potential as he’s had on his hands for some time.

It’s already been a bright winter for the proud Limerick man, capped off by a hat-trick of Grade 1 wins in the past month - including a one-two-three in the Grade 1 won by Dinoblue at Leopardstown. Jonbon, who would easily look the one to beat in the Champion Chase if El Fabiolo were not around, showed grittiness in winning the Tingle Creek when last seen, while I Am Maximus capitalised on a fine piece of placing to win the Drinmore on his final day as a novice.

Having young players come through the ranks is essential to the success of any team, however, and McManus’ novice hurdling brigade is headed up with the top two in ante-post markets for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, Jeriko Du Reponet and A Dream To Share.

O’Grady novice

No Flies On Him stood out as an extremely bright prospect when winning a Leopardstown maiden hurdle on December 26th for Edward O’Grady, while Willie Mullins described Mirazur West (second on same card) as being in his top three novice hurdlers coming into this season.

The immaculately-bred Mystical Power, owned alongside Sue Magnier and Susannah Ricci, will bid for Grade 1 honours in tomorrow’s Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle, Down Memory Lane is surely better than he showed when failing to act on testing ground in the Future Champions Novice Hurdle, Jit Langy impressed at Tipperary on his only Irish start, and while Sa Majeste isn’t a novice, he created a fine impression when winning at Limerick on just his second start for Willie Mullins. Harvard Guy is a novice handicapper on the up for the Hartys too.

Staying-on Challow Hurdle fourth Johnnywho could be an Albert Bartlett contender, Fortunate Man caught the eye when winning a Newbury maiden hurdle last month for Jonjo O’Neill, and the likes of Bioluminescence (runner-up in maiden hurdle at Navan Racing Festival), Irancy (third to Firefox and Ballyburn at Fairyhouse) and Mywayofthinkin (promising second on Christmas bumper debut at Leopardstown) look surefire future winners too. Birdie Or Bust is 16/1 for the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle after her recent listed success, and French recruit Majborough has been touted as a top juvenile hurdling prospect.

High-flying Fact

In the novice chasing division, Fact To File has become second favourite with some firms for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase after a dazzling win at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival, and Corbetts Cross is still prominent enough in the same market after finishing second in Grade 1 company at the same meeting.

Hercule Du Seuil mopped up graded races for sport during the early exchanges of the season, Inothewayurthinkin ran creditably when third in the Faugheen Novice Chase, Ho My Lord, who unseated two out behind Marine Nationale at Leopardstown, doesn’t look short of ability and Spillane’s Tower delivered a really likeable display when winning for Jimmy Mangan at Punchestown last month. Grade 1 winner Zenta shouldn’t be given up on either despite being beaten at Cork.

McManus is probably lacking a tip-top two-mile hurdler in the senior ranks but there is no shortage of ammunition for valuable handicap hurdles. As for the staying category, Sire Du Berlais has yet to appear this term but is the reigning Stayers’ Hurdle winner and veteran Champ didn’t disgrace himself by any means on his return in the Long Walk when fourth.

Throw in other big-race regulars like Janidil, Capodanno, Gentleman De Mee, Fakir D’oudairies, Saint Roi, Thedevilscoachman, Limerick Lace, Filey Bay, Icare Allen, Risk Belle, The Shunter, Feronily (has spent time on sidelines this season due to setback), Magic Tricks and So Scottish, and the future looks bright for McManus’ team.

He has had runners with a whopping 47 different trainers in Ireland so far this season. That is something to be welcomed at a time of major discussion surrounding the domination of super-trainers.