Punters notice 'rancid drift' on JP McManus' latest big-money buy moments before shock defeat

PUNTERS clocked a 'rancid drift' on JP McManus' latest big-money purchase right before he suffered a shock defeat.

Legendary racing tycoon McManus bought Grade 1-winning chaser Feronily from Paul Byrne just six days ago - the fifth horse he has bought from this owner.

Feronily had an intriguing campaign last season, running in a bumper less then three months before he won the Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown Festival.

Big things were expected on debut in the green and gold silks at Galway on Tuesday.

But there was a shock as the 1-2 fav was turned over by the well-supported My Design, who had been backed into 85-40 from as big as 12-1.

That wasn't all though.

Punters monitoring the 2m7f contest noticed what was described as a 'rancid drift' on Feronily right before the off.

The six-year-old, who is trained by Grand National-winning handler Emmet Mullins, opened at 2-9 and did hit 1-5, meaning you'd have to stake £5 on him just to win £1.

But he lunged all the way out to 1-2 by flag fall as My Design - who was rated 27lbs inferior - continued to be bombarded with bets.

In truth, Feronily didn't run all that bad and it was noted he was carrying quite a bit of condition in the ring beforehand.

He will no doubt strip fitter for the run before being aimed at bigger contests when the jumps season really gets going.

And he was hampered two fences from home by Jack Kennedy on the Gordon Elliott-trained Frontal Assault.

Feronily's jockey Mark Walsh said he was pleased with the run and that the horse will come on for the return to competitive action.

But some punters were left hoping JP had kept the receipt after spending big.

A Grade 1 chaser can sell for around £300-£400,000.

In response to Feronily's loss, one punter wrote: "Has JP bought another dud? Feronily should be winning that even if not fully fit. Extremely laboured there."

Another wrote: "He may have needed the run, but Feronily doesn't look like one you'd be excited about this season."

One post read: "Feronily is beaten by the 128-rated My Design at Galway after drifting from 1-5 to 1-2. Wonder if JP kept his receipt?"

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