3.10 Lingfield, Wednesday, December 5

As might be expected, in a 0-60 amateur riders’ handicap, worth less than £3,000 to the winner, recent winning form in the Betway Stayers’ Amateur Riders’ Handicap (3.10) at Lingfield on Wednesday is in short supply. However, one horse who appears to have brighter prospects than most is Evan Williams’ 4-year-old gelding, Knab Rock, due to be ridden by his daughter Isabel.

The son of Mastercraftsman didn’t see a racecourse until August, when finishing third of six, beaten 8 lengths, behind Dorette in a ‘bumper’, over 2 miles 1 furlongs at Newton Abbott. He failed to make much of an impact in three novice stakes races – including two over a woefully inadequate 7½ furlongs – at Ffos Las and Chepstow in September but, after a 52-day break, ran with much more promise on his handicap debut, over course and distance, 15 days ago.

Ridden by Shane Kelly on that occasion, Knab Rock was held up in the last pair and, when asked for an effort inside the final quarter of a mile, kept on to finish fifth of 10, beaten 2¾ lengths, behind the gambled-on Lumen. Despite failing to trouble the judge, he was, nevertheless, closing on the winner at the finish and, after just four starts on the level, may be capable of better yet.

He’s clearly no world-beater, but he’s been dropped 2lb in the weights for his latest effort so, with Isabel Williams capable of riding at 9st 8lb – and, therefore, able to claim her full 3lb allowance – he must surely have a decent chance of winning an ordinary race, in which his rivals are fully exposed as moderate, at best.

Selection: Lingfield 3.10 Knab Rock to win 14-1

3.40 Lingfield, Tuesday, November 20

In the Sun Racing Apprentice Handicap (3.40) at Lingfield on Tuesday, Wilson has won just one race, over 7 furlongs at Brighton on his second start as a juvenile last September, but ran his best race since joining Julia Feilden on his Polytrack debut at Kempton last month and may be capable of building on that effort. On that occasion, the son of Born To Sea – a half-brother to Sea The Stars and Galileo – could only keep on at one pace to finish fourth of 13, beaten 3 lengths, in a 0-70 handicap won by Directory, but did, at least, demonstrate his ability to handle the surface.

Admittedly, his wide draw, in stall 10, isn’t ideal, but dropped 2lb in the weights and eased slightly in grade, there appears no reason why he shouldn’t run well again. Over the last five seasons, Suffolk trainer Feilden has a healthy 14-78 (18%) strike rate with her older horses at Lingfield, for an even healthier level stakes profit of 64.49 and, in the hands of her daughter, capable apprentice Shelley Birkett, Wilson looks a decent bet to improve that record.

Selection: Lingfield 3.40 Wilson to win 12/1

2.50 Nottingham, Wednesday, November 7

Our Oyster Catcher ran a race full of promise when only headed in the last 75 yards and beaten a neck by Gnaad on his first start for Mark Pattinson at Sandown in September and confirmed that promise at Bath three weeks ago. On that occasion, the Pastoral Pursuits gelding made all and stayed on strongly to beat Monumental Man and Secret Potion by 1½ lengths and a neck. Subsequently, both placed horses have run well enough to suggest that the form is solid, Secret Potion winning at Wolverhampton last Tuesday and Monumental Man going down by the minimum margin at the West Midlands track two days later. The Watch Racing UK on Virgin 536 Handicap (2.50) at Nottingham on Wednesday is competitive enough for the grade, but

Indeed, his previous Sandown conqueror, Gnaad – who actually reopposes on 3lb better terms, notwithstanding apprentices’ allowances – only failed by a neck and a head to overhaul Broadhaven Honey at Brighton next time, so his recent form has a reassuringly healthy glow. Epsom trainer Mark Pattinson is only in his second full year at Tattenham Corner Stables, but is hardly wet behind the ears, having previously worked for the likes of Jim Boyle and Lee Carter. Oyster Catcher is the highest-rated of the string of, so far, fairly moderate horses and, granted luck in running, must have every chance of chalking up another victory for the young, ambitious handler.

Selection: Nottingham 2.50 Our Oyster Catcher to win 12/1

John P. McManus - Owner Profile

J P McManus is a shrewd business man and race horse owner from Ireland. A varied early career which started with working in the family construction firm, moved into becoming an on course bookmaker, and then eventually to owning racehorses. This latter goal was aided in the early days (1982) by the purchase of the 400 acres Martinstown Stud.

Fast forwrad to today and J P McmManus has 100+ horses in training. Some stand outs over time include Ista braq (three time Champion Hurdle winner), 'Don't Push It' who, ridden by champion jockey Tony McCoy, won the Grand National in 2010, and Synchronised who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2012. Champion jockey Tony McCoy was stable jockey for much of his career, and since his retirement Barry Geraghty, who himself has 1000+ wins, took over that role.

McManus has never lost his passion for racing and when he has a target in his sights he pours everything into it. In August of this year, he launched an unheard of eleven pronged attack on  the Guinness Galway Hurdle, which he hoped to win for the third time. With just 20 horses in the race he certainly gave himself a good chance of winning with his 11 entries split across 5 trainers. Unfortunately for him it wasn't to be as Willie Mullins' 12-1 shot Sharjah bagged the win. It's certainly an example of his desire to win though, perhaps to an almost comical extent.

His success in racing and other areas of business has allowed McManus to really branch out in terms of both lifestyle and ventures. He spent a stunning 150 million euros on building a house in Barbados and also owned 28.89% of Manchester United at one stage with his business partner John Magnier. They sold their stake to Malcolm Glazier, a decision they're probably quite happy with nowadays considering the recent form of Manchester United. His estimated net worth is some 4 billion euros. Can I borrow a fiver?