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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Michael Turnbull

JP McManus splashes the cash to buy Willie Mullins-trained horse

JP McManus has purchased the Willie Mullins-trained horse I Am Maximus after the novice chaser performed impressively at last week's Cheltenham Festival.

The seven year old, owned previously by Mike Grech, ran a promising race in the Brown Advisory finishing 11 lengths behind winner Real Whacker.

I Am Maximus' Irish rating over fences is 148 and has upcoming entries in the Grade 1 Gold Cup Novice Chase at Fairyhouse and the lucrative €500,000 Irish Grand National over the Easter weekend.

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Racing manager for McManus, Frank Berry, said, "I Am Maximus seemed to run very well at Cheltenham when fourth in the Brown Advisory and he has a good bit of experience too. We'll wait and see what we will do with him now. He has a couple of options including the Irish National, but we will see what Willie wants to do with him."

After an impressive 2022 under the stewardship of Nicky Mullins, I am Maximus was transferred to Mullins for the start of this season and quickly notched up two second places behind the more experienced Minella Crooner and Gentlemansgame.

Prior to his impressive showing at Cheltenham I Am Maximus had also performed well at the Dublin Racing Festival where he finished 4th in a Grade 1. I am Maximus is the second Mullins-trained horse recently after Brandy Love was bought by Joe and Marie Donnelly, for whom she ran in last week's Mares' Hurdle.

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