McManus' Henry Higgins wins Coral Hurdle

Champion Owner J.P. McManus continued his rich vein of form in Irish big race handicaps when his Henry Higgins landed the prestigious Grade B Coral.ie Hurdle at Leopardstown today, scoring for trainer Charles O'Brien and jockey Robbie Power.

The winner was patiently ridden by Grand National winning jockey Power (completing a double on the day) and had a dream run around on the inside before making his challenge in the home straight.

Henry Higgins, named after the Professor of phonetics Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady, jumped to the front, past Kalkir at the last before staying on well for a two and a quarter lengths win over Kalkir.

Afterwards O'Brien, son of training legend Vincent O'Brien, stated “he always travelled well and we said we'd take a chance and drop him in, as two miles is as far as he wants to go on that ground. He got a lovely ride from Robbie.

“He's always had the size and scope and loves jumping hurdles. We always hoped there was a big day in him, it was just a question of everything falling right.

“Today was the first time this year I felt I had him A1 but I was a bit disappointed when I saw the ground as I thought it might have dried up further.

“He handles any ground but definitely likes better ground as it helps with staying the trip.”

Regarding plans, O'Brien, son of training legend Vincent O'Brien, stated “I suppose the County Hurdle (run in honour of O'Brien senior) is the way to go and is an appropriate race to go for. It would be a bit special if he could win that.

“135 was the bottom rated horse in it last year so he needed to do something today to get into it.”

Henry Higgins' name is the latest in the long list of McManus owned big race handicap winners and follows on from this season's Irish winners Nearly Nama'd (Grade A and B winner), Minella Foru (Grade B Paddy Power Chase win), Troytown winner Riverside City and Gentleman Duke (Grade B).

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson