Meetingofthewaters has performed well enough this season to catch the eye of JP McManus, who this week, purchased the smart seven-year-old from owner Paul Byrne.

The Shunter, Corbetts Cross, So Scottish and Feronily are among the stellar performers Byrne has previously sold to McManus.

This year’s buzz horse on the preview circuit, is now 5-1 favourite to win the Ultima Handicap Chase over 3 miles and 1 furlong, on day one of the Cheltenham Festival.

Byrne purchased Meetingofthewaters in September 2023 and the gelding ran five times in his colours, winning two races, picking up black type along the way and finishing in the prize money four times.

Trainer: Willie Mullins

Jockey: Mark Walsh (TBC)

Owner: JP McManus

Race record: 313653813376-4311U

Trained by Willie Mullins, and an impressive winner of the Listed Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown at Christmas, ex-jockey David Mullins boldly declared this week that he could be a Gold Cup horse for next year and a potential Grand National contender.

This is a race which is typically won by the British, you have to go back to 2006 to find an Irish winner, however this year, Closutton are brimming with confidence that they could land their first handicap chase at the Festival.

Stepped up to Grade 3 level last time at the Dublin Racing Festival, Meetingofthewaters was unlucky when hampered at the first fence, unseating his rider.

His previous Christmas victory at Leopardstown over an extended three miles in which he stayed thoroughly and jumped superbly to shrug off the likes of Panda Boy, Real Steel and Amirite with ease, was most impressive when he hit the line strong.

Over a shorter trip at Cork in December, he was scintillating to watch, when he once again won easily, despite an awkward jump at the last.

It does not look an easy race to win however, with Chianti Classico considered a major threat. His trainer Kim Bailey, won the Grimthorpe Chase at the weekend and his contender could still be well handicapped.

The seven-year-old is a lightly-raced up and comer and has been remarkably consistent, having won five of his last seven races. A slight unknown is whether he handles Cheltenham, having pulled up last year in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.

Giovinco is another to note for Lucinda Russell, who has won this contest two years on the bounce with Corach Rambler. Russell believes this year's representative boasts plenty of class.

JP McManus has a typically strong team for this year’s festival and Meetingofthewaters looks to be another to provide him with Cheltenham Festival success.

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