Many famous silks spring to mind when we think of the Cheltenham Festival, from the pink and green of the Riccis to the red and white of Cheveley Park Stud and on to the maroon and white of Gigginstown House Stud. All have tasted their fair share of Prestbury Park success over the years, but none can match the record of the man behind the instantly recognisable green and gold silks.
First successful with Mister Donovan in the 1982 edition of the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle, and most recently with Limerick Lace in the 2024 Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase, JP McManus has an incredible 78 Cheltenham Festival winners to his name. That tally puts him out on his own as the most successful owner in the history of the biggest meeting the sport has to offer. It would take a brave man to bet against him adding to his tally this year.
Strongest Ever Team in 2025
Just over a week before the runners jump off in the opening Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, McManus has over 70 entries over the four days, with a rich seam of quality running through that quantity. Incredibly, the 73-year-old owner is responsible for the favourite or joint-favourite in 14 of the 28 races on offer.
That total is almost certain to decrease by the time the meeting begins, as both Jagwar and Kopeck De Mee head the betting in more than one event. Nevertheless, one of the sport’s biggest supporters has an enviable cast of stars at his disposal.
If McManus is to reach – and possibly move past – the 80 Cheltenham Festival winner mark, the following quintet may be the most likely to take him there.
Majborough – My Pension Expert Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase
In the absence of the Nicky Henderson-trained Sir Gino, the opening chase event of the meeting now looks at the mercy of this five-year-old from the yard of Willie Mullins.
The 2024 Triumph Hurdle winner has adjusted well to the switch to fences this season. Whilst not foot-perfect at his obstacles, he hasn’t made any serious errors and arrives at Cheltenham with a perfect two-from-two chase record. Nine lengths too good for the field in the Irish Arkle last time out, he has strong claims of handing McManus a first Arkle success.
Jonbon – Queen Mother Champion Chase
Whilst the absence of a Nicky Henderson star may benefit McManus in the Arkle, he will hope the Seven Barrows handler hits the target in the feature event on Day 2.
A full brother to the dual Cheltenham Festival winner, Douvan, Jonbon is yet to win at this meeting but has carried the green and gold to nine Grade 1 victories since 2022. Unbeaten in three outings in 2024/25, he’s the hot favourite to grab a tenth top-level triumph on the biggest stage of all.
Fact To File – Ryanair Chase
Having finished second in the 2023 Champion Bumper, Fact To File went one better when slamming the field in the 2024 edition of the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase. A tilt at the Gold Cup remains a possibility this year, but having twice been put in his place by the reigning champion Galopin Des Champs, he may head to this Day 3 contest instead. If that turns out to be the case, the market suggests he is the horse they all have to beat.
Dinoblue – Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase
Now eight years old, Dinoblue has had three previous trips to Cheltenham without success. However, she has been getting closer. Seventeen lengths behind Envoi Allen in the 2022 Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, she finished a 6½l second in the 2023 Grand Annual before going down by just three quarters of a length in the 2024 edition of this race. Back to form with a Listed win at Naas in February – could this be the year she finally gets her nose in front?
Its On The Line – St James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase
McManus came close to a fifth success in the big event for the Hunter Chasers over the Gold Cup course and distance in 2024. Having lost out by three quarters of a length to Sine Nomine 12 months ago, the eight-year-old Its On The Line returns for another crack at the prize. He’s yet to hit the heights in two outings this term, but no doubt this is his big target, and Emmet Mullins can be trusted to have him in peak condition on the day.
