18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure

O`NEILL TO BE KING OF THE CASTLE

JP McManus has finally confirmed his widely-rumoured purchase of the Jackdaws Castle training centre in Gloucestershire.

And the Irish owner and punter admitted that Jonjo O`Neill is to move to the yard - which was formerly the base of David Nicholson and is currently occupied by Richard Phillips.

McManus, who has owned numerous good jumpers including three-time Champion hurdler Istabraq, said: 'Jackdaws Castle is an excellent facility. My relationship with Jonjo goes back a long way.

'I don`t have any plans to increase the number of horses I have in training with him and there`s no question of him becoming a private trainer. He will be training for other owners at Jackdaws Castle as well.'

Former champion jump jockey O`Neill has trained at Penrith in Cumbria for 14 years and has sent out many big winners, with Danny Connors, Front Line and Master Tern all scoring at the Cheltenham Festival in McManus` colours.