Geraghty Wins 30 Day Ban in Limerick

Barry Geraghty Wins 30 day ban

Barry Geraghty is out of the Punchestown Festival after being handed a 30-day ban by stewards at Limerick.

Geraghty, 36, was found not to have allowed Noble Emperor to run on his merits after coming a distant second in Sunday's Handicap Hurdle.

All jockeys except Barry Cash, who rode the victorious Velocity Boy, were asked to explain why the winner was able to open up a large and unassailable lead.

Geraghty's ban starts on 17 April, with Punchestown beginning on 26 April.

The 7-4 favourite Noble Emperor ran in the pack, some 20 lengths behind Velocity Boy, for much of Sunday's race before finishing 11 lengths behind the winner.

The Limerick stewards, acting under Rule 212, also banned Noble Emperor for 60 days and fined trainer Tony Martin 3,000 euros (£2,400).

All other jockeys and horses escaped sanction.

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Geraghty Rocks Punchestown Gold

Photo: INPHO

China Rock was a shock 20-1 winner of the thetote.com Punchestown Gold Cup under Barry Geraghty on Saturday.

The nine-year-old ran against Sizing Europe in the Boylesports.com Champion Chase on Tuesday but bounced back from that fourth in a first-time tongue-tie.

He was always travelling well and jumped to the front jumping the last, with Geraghty pushing him out to the line for a five-length success over Follow The Plan (7-1).

15-8 favourite Quel Esprit was third.

China Rock was sporting a first-time tongue tie and Morris thought had made all the difference in his quick run back.

"We weren't going to win anything with him at home! He had a problem and we couldn't find it," he said.

"I thought he bled here the last day (Tuesday) and he didn't so I was trying to scope him with the onboard scope to see about his wind and I said I'd put a tongue strap on him.

"There was only seven or eight runners and there was great prize money down to sixth.

"He was travelling well in the Gold Cup and he fell into a hole, he was travelling reasonable enough the other day over two miles and he fell into a hole again, he just wasn't getting home so it was obviously a wind problem.

"We don't know what it is yet obviously but the wind was the problem. It's magic!"

Geraghty felt China Rock was a worthy winner and admitted he knew he had a shot at glory some way from home.

"He won on merit. He jumped and travelled away and just kept travelling," he said.

"Honestly, as we turned away from the last ditch, I was letting the two lads off in front trying to fill up a little bit (give him a breather) and secure third really, but as we pressed on up to what was the second last, I was travelling better than the two in front.

"He has been competitive in very good races, he has been at this level before but he just hasn't been of late.

"Mouse put a tongue tie on him - Ruby rode him the last day and whether he prescribed that or not, I'm not sure but something worked anyway.

"He jumped and he travelled and he saw out the race where he hasn't been seeing out his races in the past, Mouse told me as it's been a while since I've ridden him."

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Geraghty One Lucky William

Barry Geraghty gave Lucky William (4-1) a fine ride to land the Ryanair Novice Chase at Punchestown.

Never too far off the pace set by Kumbeshwar, Geraghty brought his mount through to challenge for the lead with two fences to jump.

As rivals Menorah and Kumbeshwar faded, he was left with a late battle as Blackstairmountain (8-1) ran on well for Ruby Walsh, however Thomas Cooper's charge was too strong at the line.

Favourite First Lieutenant (9-4) lost his position around four fences from home before staying on for a never-nearer third.

Philip Hobbs' Menorah took up the lead three fences from home and looked to be travelling strongly, however he tired badly late on and was well held at the line.

Alan King's Kumbeshwar, after a bad error at the fourth fence, eventually took a crashing fall at the final obstacle.

Cooper said: "Brilliant, absolutely super. Out of all the runners I thought he was the one who would handle the ground the best and he proved it on the day.

"His win the last day gave him confidence. It was a mighty performance under top-weight on soft ground.

"He's probably a better horse on better ground but he's versatile."

Cooper added: "It's very tricky now lads! He's not a Sprinter Sacre and we'll try and avoid him. There should be plenty of other races for him."

Richard Johnson said of Menorah, who passed the post fourth: "The ground was against us and it was a bit too soft.

"Saying that he was a bit awkward at the first few fences and they are big fences here but he jumped well towards the end.

"He's run a decent race and it's the end of a long season so he's one to look forward to next year."

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Finian Rainbow Finds Pot of Gold

Finian's Rainbow and Barry Geraghty triumphed in the John Smith's Melling Chase at Aintree.

Nicky Henderson's star won the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham and was impressive again here despite demolishing a rail before the Grade One race and jumping moderately throughout the contest itself.

However the 13-8 favourite had enough class to see off Wishfull Thinking (15-2) before the last fence and he stormed clear up the run-in.

Philip Hobbs' runner bounced back to form for Richard Johnson and held every chance turning in but was no match for the winner, whilst Albertas Run (11-4), winner of the race in 2010, faded into third having helped to cut out the early pace with Poquelin.

Thomas Cooper's Forpadydeplasterer finished fourth but was well held.

Henderson said: "Last year as a novice he was trying to do everything in a terrible rush. He was only a bit quieter here last year because he'd had a hard race at Cheltenham.

"He grew up last summer for some reason and suddenly became sensible. This season he's been much more amenable.

"You'd always expect this fella to stay. Last year he looked an out and out two-miler because he was doing it in such a rush.

"Today he was always in a comfortable position just behind and you just hoped he was in cruise control and he probably was. When he switched him on he picked it up very quickly.

"We've got all summer to think about next season, but we're in a good position to be able to think about things. He's won the Champion Chase, he's won this. He goes to bed with all the medals."

Owner Michael Buckley said: "He's pretty special. "I wasn't worried about him stepping up in trip. The ground is probably a little on the soft side for him now, but he's very relaxed now and acts like a stayer, like we always thought he would be.

"How far he'll stay I've no idea."

Wishfull Thinking's trainer Philip Hobbs said: "It's good to see him back and he ran a much better race.

"It's been a very frustrating season but we schooled him straight away after Cheltenham and he's been absolutely fine.

"We'd have to think about Punchestown, as it's not very far away."

Jonjo O'Neill, trainer of Albertas Run, said: "I don't think it's because he had a hard race at Cheltenham. I'm a bit worried his old problems have come back.

"He looked like he might have been feeling his leg a bit. We'll just have to get him home and see, but he certainly won't be running again this season."

All Theatre for Barry Geraghty

Riverside Theatre continued Nicky Henderson's amazing festival with a thrilling victory in the Ryanair Chase.

The 7/2 chance had to dig really deep on the run-in to deny Albertas Run a hat-trick of wins in the Grade One event, giving Henderson a sixth success of the week and jockey Barry Geraghty his fifth.

Tony McCoy asked Albertas Run to make all the running but was hassled all the way by Irish raider Rubi Light, while the eventual winner had anything but a trouble-free run in the chasing pack.

Albertas Run (10/1) still led descending the hill, where Riverside Theatre was upsides for the first time.

Rubi Light was the first to give way but Medermit (8/1) threw down the biggest challenge two out, and may even have led after the last as Albertas Run went right.

But Geraghty got a great response from his partner, conjuring one last lunge to get up close home and deny the brave 11-year-old by half-a-length, with Medermit a similar distance away in third.

"It was hard work," said the jockey. "I never travelled and he missed a good few (fences) but he's game.

"I threw him at the last four fences and he kept coming up. I was beaten everywhere.

"I was a bit tight for room because he wasn't travelling but every time I dug into him he found more.

"I was trying to keep count (of the whip) and I hope I'm all right. He's very classy. It's unbelievable training to bring him back from a year off to win two Grade Ones."

Henderson said: "In fairness that was some great ride. I don't think either of us was enjoying that a lot and I don't think Barry was either as it didn't look very likely all the way.

"They were always travelling a gear higher than he wanted to be in. That was some ride to get him home."

Actor James Nesbitt, who part-owns the horse said: "I just can't believe the ride that Barry gave him and Nicky has done such an incredible job to bring him back like he has.

"The training performance at Ascot was extraordinary, but to have him in that nick today - to have that courage and battle like he did is incredible."

Jonjo O'Neill said of Albertas Run: "He's run a cracking race and we're thrilled to bits with him.

"The ground was maybe a bit on the dead side and AP (McCoy) said that there was one fence on the top of the hill that he didn't really fly, he didn't miss it but just didn't make up as much ground as he might have done.

"He's a great horse to train and I wish I had a yard full of horses like him.

"I thought we were in with a chance and Riverside Theatre was on and off the bridle but Barry gave his horse a great ride, as did AP, but he stayed on. He'll probably go to Aintree if he's OK."

Noel Williams, Alan King's assistant trainer, said of Medermit: "He's run a great race. We'd been thinking about this or the Gold Cup, he stays this (two-mile-five) trip well and I think he'll be worth running over three miles now.

"He's so unlucky not to win here but he's always there or thereabouts."

Poquelin was withdrawn at the start having been kicked in the mouth.

Henderson Hopeful About Riverside

Nicky Henderson is hopeful that being patient with Riverside Theatre will pay dividends in Thursday's Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham.

The eight-year-old was a leading contender for the race last season only to be ruled out by a hairline fracture of his pelvis, an injury that kept him on the sidelines until last month.

Riverside Theatre made a victorious return to action when landing the Ascot Chase, and Henderson believes the two-mile-five-furlong trip is his optimum.

He said: "This is Riverside Theatre's trip, as he proved at Ascot, and we've been trying to get him here for two years.

"He had been off a long time and there wouldn't be a huge amount of improvement in him, but you'd think that there wouldn't need to be."

Albertas Run has won the race for the last two years and will bid for a hat-trick for trainer Jonjo O'Neill.

He held off the reopposing Kalahari King and Rubi Light in a thrilling finish in 2011, but has raced just once this term.

Although he won at Aintree back in October, big-race rider Tony McCoy admits Albertas Run has not been an easy ride to the Festival.

"He's 11 now and has been plenty hard to get right but Jonjo seems happy with him," he said.

"I hope he'll run very well but it's an open race.

"Noble Prince would have a bit more speed and the dry ground will help but Albertas Run is probably a little better stayer."

O'Neill added: "It has been slow progress with him since his last run but fingers crossed it's all gone according to plan.

"It just seems to be the right trip and AP gets on really well with him.

"He's come back from the dead, but hopefully he'll run well again."

Kalahari King has endured a similarly troubled campaign with just two outings this year.

The 11-year-old sustained a leg injury when pulled up behind Master Minded at Ascot last November but proved his wellbeing with a racecourse gallop at Doncaster at the start of the month.

Geraghty Gets Bob's Worth

Bobs Worth gave Nicky Henderson and Barry Geraghty a quick-fire double with a gritty victory in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham.

Backing up the earlier victory of Simonsig, the 9/2 shot fought off Irish raider First Lieutenant (9/2) on the run from the last as hot favourite Grands Crus faded into fourth.

Bobs Worth and First Lieutenant were always prominent and vied for the lead at the top of the hill, where the well-backed Grands Crus (6-5f) eased into contention.

The trio were in line jumping three out but it soon became clear that the popular grey was fighting a losing battle as last year's festival winners went on again in the straight.

And it was Geraghty's charge who found the most under pressure from the last, forging two-and-a-half lengths clear with another Irish-trained runner Call The Police (20/1) staying on best for third ahead of the weary favourite.

Geraghty said: "He just keeps winning. He's a simple sort really, he jumps and he tries.

"He won his three hurdles round here and now he's won his chase so he's four from four. He's just so genuine."

Henderson added: "What a tough horse. Barry gave him a wonderful ride but he's got to do that because he sold the thing to me!

"I haven't been happy with him at any stage this season. We fiddled with his wind in January and he was the last horse in the yard to get his coat. His jumping hadn't been great either.

"Barry has had two armchair rides so far this week, but he's had to sing for his supper on that one.

"Everybody has worked incredibly hard and it's been a long battle to get him back.

"I'm amazed we've got him here in that sort of form and because it's been a rush, that will probably be it for the season."

Barry Geraghty and Sprinter Sacre

Jockey Barry Geraghty believes Sprinter Sacre's flamboyance makes him an entirely different proposition to the legendary Moscow Flyer.

The Nicky Henderson-trained six-year-old preserved his unbeaten record over fences at Newbury on Friday when breaking the course record in the Game Spirit Chase.

He is now the short-priced favourite for the Racing Post Arkle Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival.

Geraghty won the Arkle in 2002 aboard Moscow Flyer, considered one of the finest two-mile chasers to have graced a racecourse, yet feels Sprinter Sacre has a sharper turn of foot to that of Jessica Harrington's great gelding.

He said: "Call him (Sprinter Sacre) what you like - the business, the real deal - all I know is that he's special and I've never ridden one like him.

"Moscow Flyer was brilliant but he'd doss in front and would beat a bad horse by two lengths the same as a good one.

"You'd call him unassuming in human terms, but this horse is flamboyant.

"Nine times out of 10 Moscow was a good jumper, but Sprinter Sacre is fast - I've never ridden a horse that can get from one side of a fence to the other like he does.

"In fairness to him, he was clever at a couple, which a horse needs to be at Cheltenham - concentrate on the job.

"He was breathtaking all right, and he's the sort of horse that jockeys wait for their whole career.

"He just needs wrapping up in cotton wool and looking after as he's still got so much potential."

Geraghty shared similar thoughts about Burton Port, who made a superb return from a lengthy absence when second to stablemate Long Run in the Denman Betfair Chase.

The Irish-based rider is confident there will be more to come from the eight-year-old gelding when he lines up in the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival.

Geraghty said on his At The Races blog: "He confirmed everything I thought after his good work a few weeks back and made Long Run go all the way to the line.

"He's third favourite for the Gold Cup now and I'd like to think the run would have bought him on a good bit.

"It's now a matter for the mechanics at Seven Barrows to keep the wheels in place for Cheltenham."

Josh Gifford 1941 - 2012

Grand National-winning trainer Josh Gifford has died of a heart attack at the age of 70, his son Nick confirmed on Thursday.

Gifford, who had only recently returned home from hospital after suffering from septicaemia, will forever be remembered for Aldaniti's stirring victory at Aintree in 1981 after his jockey Bob Champion recovered from cancer.

Gifford's son, Nick, who took over from his father at his Findon yard in West Sussex, confirmed the sad news.

"I'm afraid he passed away in the early hours," he said.

Riding Legend

Before starting his training career, Gifford was an accomplished jockey and was crowned champion on four occasions.

He had four Cheltenham Festival successes and finished second in the 1967 Grand National on Honey End behind the legendary winner Foinavon.

Gifford had his first ride as a 12-year-old and his first winner came two years later in 1956 on Trentham Boy on the Flat. His first winner over jumps was at Wincanton in 1959.

As well as winning the National with Aldaniti, Gifford trained top-quality horses such as Door Latch, Deep Sensation, Bradbury Star and Katabatic.

He trained over 1,500 winners in his career.

His son, Nick, added: "He'd been back home for about three weeks but he took a turn for the worse yesterday evening.

"By the early hours he was in a really bad way and in the end it was a heart attack."

Champion was indebted to Gifford for supporting him during his illness and for sticking by him when he returned to the saddle

"He was a great jockey, a great trainer and a great man," said Champion.

"He was so loyal to his jockeys."

Gifford, who was 70, and Champion were featured in the film 'Champions' that immortalised the Aldaniti story.

Champion was played by the actor John Hurt, and the theme tune to the film is used as part of the BBC's current National coverage.

Champion and Aldaniti were awarded the BBC's Sports Personality Team of the Year title in their National year.

Paying his tribute, champion jockey Tony McCoy tweeted: "Very sad to hear that Josh Gifford trainer & former champion jockey passed away this morning a great man my thoughts are with his family RIP."

Top Irish jockey Barry Geraghty also paid his respects. He tweeted: "Very sad to hear that Josh Gifford passed away overnight a great Trainer and former Jockey, thoughts are with his Family RIP."

#RIP