McManus and Weld spring 16/1 surprise! The minor mystery of why Champion Owner J.P. McManus has kept the hitherto frustrating Pacelli Road in training with the great Dermot Weld was finally solved at Leopardstown today when the gelding gained a maiden win in the Independence Day Handicap, bolting home at odds of 16/1. The son of Oratorio had failed in ten previous outings and seven since changing colours from Noeleen McCreevy to McManus. Despite being a huge market drifter today, he won at his ease under Fran Berry and was heavily eased in the closing stages for a two lengths win over former Weld inmate Blue Ridge Lane. Weld, on duty in America with Flying Jib in the Belmont Oaks, was completing a double having earlier sent Flic Flac to win for McCreevy and his son Kris Weld later said “the better ground was a big help - he had run well at Dundalk a couple of times and the return to the sounder surface suited him well. “We took a chance with the trip – it was ten furlongs in Roscommon the last day too but the ground had gone for him there.” Quotes from Gary Carson
