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McCoys Contracts Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
Grade 3, Cheltenham 14:40 £80,000 guaranteed, 4yo only, 2m 87y, Class 1
Tweet Tuesday 10th March 2026

1 Saratoga 10/1
2 Winston Junior 5/1
3 Klycot 40/1
4 Pourquoi Pas Papa 16/1
22 ran Distances: 2¼l, 3¼l, ¾l
Time: 3m 56.83s (slow by 6.83s)

Strong at the finish 💪

Saratoga takes the McCoy Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle 👏 pic.twitter.com/pqRMNnWCuV

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 10, 2026

Saratoga delivered a timely gift for his owner JP McManus, producing a polished performance on the day the legendary owner celebrated his 75th birthday.

One of three runners sporting the familiar green and gold colours of McManus, the Padraig Roche-trained grey was sent off at 10-1 under Mark Walsh. What followed was a display of calm authority in a typically competitive 22-runner contest.

A former performer on the Flat, Saratoga travelled with assurance throughout before asserting on the run to the line, drawing clear of Winston Junior to secure victory. In doing so, he followed a path already trodden by his half-brother Brazil, who captured the same race in 2022 for the identical owner, trainer and jockey partnership.

McManus said: “We’ve always had a lot of fun and great days here. It’s a place which means so much to so many and I’m delighted to see this one win for Padraig.

“Every winner is special and I go back a long time with Padraig’s father Christy. We won this race with Brazil a few years ago and they were praying the ground would be fast and every day it was drying out was a bonus.

“I’ve had winners here on my birthday before, but you never get tired of it.”

Roche, who had followed a similar preparation with Saratoga to the one that proved so successful with Brazil, was understandably delighted to see the plan come to fruition.

Roche added: “It’s near enough the same route we took with Brazil and we’ve always thought this race would suit him.

“Getting nice horses is half the battle in this game and I’m delighted Frank (Berry, racing manager) and JP decided to buy him.

“Today really mattered, but I’m sure we’ll find out down the road if he’s a bit better than a handicapper.”

McCoys Contracts Handicap Hurdle
£80,000 guaranteed, 4yo only, 2m 87y, Class 1
22 ran
Going: Good to Soft

FRED WINTER JUVENILE NOVICES’ HANDICAP HURDLE PAST RESULTS

Year Winner Age/Wt Jockey Trainer Owner SP Ran

2025 Puturhandstogether 4 11-6 Mark Walsh Joseph O'Brien John P McManus 17/2 22

2024  Lark In The Mornin 4 11-0 J J Slevin Joseph O'Brien Sean & Bernardine Mulryan 9/1 22

2023 Jazzy Matty 4 10-9 Michael O'Sullivan Gordon Elliott Caldwell Construction Ltd 18/1 21

2022 Brazil 4 11-09 Mark Walsh Padraig Roche John P McManus 10/1 21

2021 Jeff Kidder 4 10-08 Sean Flanagan Noel Meade Albert Dravins & Eamonn Scanlon 80/1 22

2020 Aramax 4 11-08 Mark Walsh Gordon Elliott John P McManus 15/2 22

2019 Band Of Outlaws 4-11-08 J J Slevin Joseph O’Brien IRE J Carthy 7/2F 21

2018-WINNER-VENEER OF CHARM 4-11-00 Owner-M J Wasylocha; Trainer-Gordon Elliott IRE: Jockey-Jack Kennedy; SP-33/1
2ND-Style De Garde 4-11-08 Owner-Highclere Thoroughbred Racing; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Nico de Boinville; SP-12/1
3RD-Nube Negra 4-11-06 Owner-T Spraggett; Trainer-Dan Skelton; Jockey-Harry Skelton; SP-15/2 Fav
4TH-Padleyourowncanoe 4-11-03 Owner-Kevin Corcoran Aaron Pierce Chris Weare; Trainer-Colin Tizzard; Jockey-Tom Scudamore; SP-
33/1
22 ran, Time-4m 10.70s; Dist-3, 1, 2¾

2017-WINNER-FLYING TIGER 4-11-05 Owner-The Macaroni Beach Society; Trainer-Nick Williams; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-33/1
2ND-Divin Bere 4-11-10 Owner-Chris Giles; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Noel Fehily; SP-9/2 Fav
3RD-Nietzsche 4-11-01 Owner-D Gilbert, M Lawrence, A Bruce, G Wills; Trainer-Brian Ellison; Jockey-Danny Cook; SP-12/1
4TH-Project Bluebook 4-11-09 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-John Quinn; Jockey-Brian Hughes; SP-14/1
22 ran, Time-3m 58.10s; Dist-nk, nk, 5

2016-WINNER-DIEGO DU CHARMIL 4-11-01 Owner-Mrs Johnny de la Hey; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Sam Twiston-Davies; SP-13/2
2ND-Romain De Senam 4-11-04 Owner-Chris Giles & Dan Macdonald; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Nick Scholfield; SP-20/1
3RD-Coo Star Sivola 4-10-09 Owner-Babbit Racing; Trainer-Nick Williams; Jockey-Lizzie Kelly; SP-16/1
4TH-Missy Tata 4-11-00 Owner-Simon Munir & Isaac Souede; Trainer-Gordon Elliott IRE; Jockey-Bryan Cooper; SP-10/1
22 ran, Time-3m 49.40s; Dist-hd, ½, 3¼ 6/1 Fav Jaleo (10th)

2015-WINNER-QUALANDO 4-11-00 Owner-Kathy Stuart; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Nick Scholfield; SP-25/1
2ND-Bouvreuil 4-11-02 Owner-Potensis Bloodstock & Chris Giles; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Noel Fehily; SP-14/1
3RD-The Saint James 4-11-05 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill; Jockey-Paul Carberry; SP-33/1
4TH-Starchitect 4-11-02 Owner-Paul & Clare Rooney; Trainer-Donald McCain; Jockey-Wilson Renwick; SP-16/1
22 ran, Time-3m 53.60s; Dist-1½, 2¾, hd 13/2 Fav Box Office (7th)

2014-WINNER-HAWK HIGH 4-11-01 Owner-Trevor Hemmings; Trainer-Tim Easterby; Jockey-Brian Hughes; SP-33/1
2ND-Katgary 4-11-01 Owner-Andrea & Graham Wylie; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Daryl Jacob; SP-8/1
3RD-Orgilgo Bay 4-10-09 Owner-Derek Kierans; Trainer-John McConnell IRE; Jockey-Mark Bolger; SP-16/1
4TH-Keltus 4-10-13 Owner- Donlon & MacDonald; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Nick Scholfield; SP-25/1
24 ran, Time-3m 52.19s; Dist-¾, 1¾, ½ 7/2 Fav Dawalan (13th)

2013-WINNER-FLAXEN FLARE 4-10-07 Owner-Pat Sloan; Trainer-Gordon Elliott IRE; Jockey-Davy Condon; SP-25/1
2ND-Caid Du Berlais 4-10-12 Owner- Donlon, MacDonald, C Barber & P Nicholls; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Harry Derham; SP-20/1
3RD-Ptit Zig 4-10-10 Owner- Chris Giles, Potensis Limited & Webb; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Daryl Jacob; SP-22/1
4TH-Milord 4-10-06 Owner- Kim Bailey Racing Partnership VII; Trainer-Kim Bailey; Jockey-Nick Scholfield; SP-16/1
24 ran, Time-4m 1.22s; Dist-4½, 1¾, 7 6/1 Joint Favs Saphir Du Rheu (20th), Bordoni (23rd)

2012-WINNER-UNE ARTISTE 4-10-08 Owner-Simon Munir; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Jeremiah McGrath; SP-40/1
2ND-Edeymi 4-11-07 Owner-Gigginstown House Stud; Trainer-Tony Martin IRE; Jockey-Davy Russell; SP-11/1
3RD-Vendor 4-11-01 Owner-Thurloe 52; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Robert Thornton; SP-3/1 Fav
4TH-Kazlian 4-11-02 Owner-Twelve Pipers Piping; Trainer-David Pipe; Jockey-Tom Scudamore; SP-7/1
24 ran, Time-3m 53.84s; Dist-1¾, ½, 1¼

2011-WINNER-WHAT A CHARM 4-10-06 Owner-Chris Jones; Trainer-Arthur Moore IRE; Jockey-Paul Townend; SP-9/1
2ND-Kumbeshwar 4-11-10 Owner-McNeill Family & Nigel Bunter; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Charlie Huxley; SP-33/1
3RD-Dhaafer 4-10-10 Owner-Simon Munir; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Robert Thornton; SP-16/1
4TH-Plan A 4-11-08 Owner-Liam Mulryan; Trainer-Gordon Elliot IRE; Jockey-Paul Carberry; SP-4/1Fav
23 ran, Time-3m 58.50s; Dist- neck, 4½ , 1¾

2010-WINNER-SANCTUAIRE 4-11-02 Owner-Jared Sullivan; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-4/1 Fav
2ND-Notus De La Tour 4-11-09 Owner-Racing For Change; Trainer-David Pipe; Jockey-Johnny Farrelly; SP-13/2
3RD-Orsippus 4-11-00 Owner-Sandra Smith; Trainer-Michael Smith; Jockey-Davy Condon; SP-33/1
4TH-Son Amix 4-11-02 Owner-Whitechurch Stud Syndicate; Trainer-Tom Cooper IRE; Jockey-Bryan Cooper; SP-14/1 24 ran, Time-3m 55.63s; Dist-9, 1½ , 3

2009-WINNER-SILK AFFAIR 4-10-04 Owner-Liam Mulryan & Michael Fahy; Trainer-Mick Quinlan; Jockey-Tom O’Brien; SP-11/1
2ND-Ski Sunday 4-11-01 Owner-Scarlet Pimpernel; Trainer-Tim Vaughan; Jockey-Seamus Durack; SP-20/1
3RD-Saticon 4-11-01 Owner-S M Smith & Paul Duffen; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Wayne Hutchinson; SP-20/1
4TH-Alexander Severus 4-10-13 Owner-Patrick Wilmot; Trainer-Edward O’Grady IRE; Jockey-Andrew McNamara; SP-5/2 Fav 22 ran, Time-4m 5.06s; Dist-3, ¾, 1¾

2008-WINNER-CRACK AWAY JACK 4-11-10 Owner-GDM Partnership; Trainer-Emma Lavelle; Jockey-Paul Carberry; SP-14/1
2ND-Ashkazar 4-11-12 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-David Pipe; Jockey-Timmy Murphy; SP-15/8 Fav
3RD-Grand Schlem 4-11-04 Owner-Mme M Destremau; Trainer-Francois Doumen FR; Jockey-Christophe Pieux; SP-12/1
4TH-Indian Spring 4-11-07 Owner-Noel Murphy; Trainer-Edward O’Grady IRE; Jockey-Andrew McNamara; SP-66/1 22 ran, Time-4m 13.5s; Dist-2½, 5, 14

2007-WINNER-GASPARA 4-10-11 Owner-Martin Pipe; Trainer-David Pipe; Jockey-Andrew Glassonbury; SP-9/2 Joint Fav
2ND-Altilhar 4-10-08 Owner-H R Hunt; Trainer-Gary Moore; Jockey-Noel Fehily; SP-12/1
3RD-Laustra Bad 4-11-00 Owner-Sarah Ling; Trainer-David Pipe; Jockey-Tom Scudamore; SP-16/1
4TH-Zilcash 4-11-07 Owner-David Bellamy & Stephen Williams; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Gerard Tumelty; SP-50/1
24 ran, Time-3m 57.75s, Dist-5, nk, 3 9/2 Joint Fav Pouvoir (10th)

2006-WINNER-SHAMAYOUN 4-11-03 Owner-Ronald Brimacombe; Trainer-Charles Egerton; Jockey-Paddy Brennan; SP-40/1
2ND-Artist’s Muse 4-10-13 Owner-Seamus Ross; Trainer-Ted Walsh IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-12/1
3RD-Patman du Charmil 4-11-03 Owner-Raymond Mould; Trainer-Nigel Twiston-Davies; Jockey-Carl Llewellyn; SP-40/1
4TH-Gardasse 4-11-03 Owner-A S Helaissi; Trainer-Tom Tate; Jockey-Jason Maguire; SP-33/1
24 ran, Time-3m 57.20s, Dist-2.5, 2.5, 2.5 9/2 Fav Royals Darling (15th)

2005-WINNER-DABIROUN 4-11-04 Owner-Donal O’Gorman; Trainer-Paul Nolan IRE; Jockey-Miss Nina Carberry; SP-20/1
2ND-At Your Request 4-11-03 Owner-Cockbury Court Partnership; Trainer-Ian Williams; Jockey-David Dennis; SP-33/1
3RD-Nation State 4-11-04 Owner-J D Brownrigg; Trainer-Gary Moore; Jockey-Jamie Moore; SP-7/1
4TH-Miss Academy 4-11-12 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Timmy Murphy; SP-16/1
14 ran, Time-3m 54.00s, Dist-8, 1.5 , 1.75 4/1 Fav Ease The Way (14th)