Kid-gloves used by 'Slippers' in McManus 1-2

The J.P. McManus owned Sir Scorpion (16/1 into 11/1) had some supporters in the Racecourse Of The Year Handicap Hurdle at Leopardstown today and in the end was almost kidded to victory under his jockey Niall 'Slippers' Madden.

Making just his handicap debut, the son of Scorpion arrived with what looked a strong challenge approaching the final flight but was then steadied into the obstacle by Madden.

The loss of momentum at that jump seemed to hand the initiative to McManus' other runner Princely Conn but Madden's mount found oodles under a hands and heels ride on the run-in, eventually winning by half a length win for a McManus and trainer Tom Mullins 1-2.

Afterwards Mullins stated "he (Sir Scorpion) had no weight on his back and my horses are well at the moment.

"He should come on again from that run as it was his first handicap and we'll probably aim him at Fairyhouse and Punchestown."

The winner led home what could also be described as a '2-1' for McManus, with Sir Scorpion carrying McManus' 'second' colours (with a distinguishing quartered cap), while Princely Conn raced in the 'first' colours (white cap).

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson