Light shines for Geraghty
The strapping French-bred five-year-old, successful over fences in his native land before joining Robbie Hennessy, jumped impeccably under Geraghty, with the exception of a blunder at the fifth, and stayed on stoutly to keep Streets Of Gold at bay by a length and a quarter.
The performance delighted Hennessy, who trains Rubi Light for his father Bill. He explained: “Barry was happy with him and said he’d come a on a ton for the run. He can't run in novice chases, which is a shame. So we'll have to take him home and make plans for him. We’ll have to see what the handicapper thinks of him. He’s a horse with a future, I hope. And I’ve always felt he’d make a better chaser than hurdler.”
Earlier, in the absence of likely favourite Life Of Reilly, Geraghty partnered the Val O’Brien-trained Barna Gold to land a gamble (9/2 to 11/4) in the Corporate Entertainment At Sligo Maiden Hurdle.
Having travelled well on the heels of the leaders, the eight-year-old moved into contention at the second last and, having looked an assured, winner, had to be driven out to beat Lacarmic by three-quarters of a length.
Geraghty completed his treble when The Burrow Vic, owned by the enthusiastic members of Burrow Syndicate from north Kerry, headed by Sean Walsh, chairman of the Munster GAA Council, justified 15/8 favouritism in the Sean Grahgam Bookmakers Handicap Chase.
Although jumping a little deliberately early in the race, The Burrow Vic responded to Geraghty’s driving and kept going well to beat Galway legend, providing trainer Davy Fitzgerald with a welcome boost after Hellyhunter was killed in Ballinrobe last week.
Ruby Walsh received another glowing tribute, this time from trainer James Lambe, after getting top-weight I Hear A Symphony up to pip Ella Watson in the Race Signage At Sligo In 2011 Handicap Hurdle at Sligo.
Having managed to settle the eight-year-old off the pace, Walsh played his cards late and, in a driving finish, challenged on the inside to short-head Ella Watson (Pat Kennedy), prompting Lambe to declare: “The man on his back made the difference between winning and losing. It’s as simple as that.”
JP McManus has a tremendous record at Sligo and doubled-up with favourites Double Seven and Knocknagow Leader in the first and last races.
Building on his eye-catching debut run at Listowel, Double Seven landed the opening maiden hurdle from unlucky market rival Asiya, the 7/4 favourite getting home by a neck under Mark Walsh.
The McManus double was completed when Knocknagow Leader, trained by Edward O’Grady, made most of the running, survived a mistake at the sixth and proved too strong for Second Glance in the info@countysl;igoraces.com Beginners Chase. Ridden by Andrew McNamara, the Supreme Leader gelding triumphed by three lengths.
Barry Cash gave well-backed Vinnie (10/1 to 13/2) an enterprising ride to land the Join The 2011 Sligo Race Supporters Club Handicap Hurdle at the expense of favourite Old Theatre Royal, which came from well off the pace under Mick Darcy and jumped the final flight in third place before getting within a length of the winner.
