McManus adds Sari success to big-race win

Blue Sari completed a notable double for J.P. McManus today, landing Gowran's Holden Plant Rentals Beginners Chase half an hour after the owner's Fakir D'oudairies won the Grade 1 Betfair Ascot Chase at that English racecourse.

Fakir D'oudairies bagged the weekend's featured race for trainer Joseph O'Brien and McManus' retained Irish jockey Mark Walsh, and at Gowran Paul Townend was on board the Willie Mullins trained Blue Sari which registered a first win since November 2019.

Blue Sari (6/4) had shaken off the persistent challenge of 5/4 favourite Grand Paradis when making a final fence mistake but stayed on well for a 13 lengths win.

Mullins, earlier successful with the Townend-partnered Melon later said “he (Blue Sari) jumped great except for the last. He was just a bit long at it but he was fine.

“He might stay at home and we could look at the Grade 1 two and a half miles novice in Fairyhouse at Easter.

“Easter is late so we may find something in the meantime.”

Quotes from Alan Magee