Geraghty shuts out rivals to win first Irish National
The superb Geraghty had won just about every big race in the calendar, including the Aintree Grand National, Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle and the two-mile Champion Chase.
But he was born and reared in Co Meath and not having the Irish National on his CV was a glaring omission,
Well, he put that right with a typical swashbuckling performance, throwing the kitchen sink at his partner when the need was greatest.
Said Geraghty: “It is always lovely to win a big local race, this was a long time coming.
“I’ve been very lucky riding for Jonjo and J P. Jonjo had the horse in great shape, he battled hard and won.
“I knew heading to the last I was going to get there. The better ground helped him and he kept finding. I was born just ten minutes from here and now live only a mile away. It means an awful lot to me to win this race.”
Geraghty, of course, only rode Shutthefrontdoor because McManus’ retained rider, Tony McCoy, is currently suspended.
Toon River and Clar Na Mionn carried the field along for much of the journey, but heading to the third last Golden Wonder edged into the lead.
For a lot of the straight, Golden Wonder looked the most likely winner, but was gradually closed down by Shutthefrontdoor and Saoirse Dun.
There was little or nothing between the trio rising to the last, but then Geraghty got down to work.
He rode as if possessed from the back of the last, with the notion of defeat simply not on his agenda.
Geraghty insisted on Shutthefrontdoor powering forward and received his reward to beat Golden Wonder by three parts of a length, with Saoirse Dun just a neck further away in third.
For McManus it was a third National success to go with Bit Of Skite (1983) and Butlers Cabin (2007).
O’Neill, of course, trained Butlers Cabin and that was his only previous win in the race.
The Irish National has a history of throwing up surprise results, but this wasn’t one of them, with Shuttheforntdoor arguably the best backed horse in the contest and going off the 8-1 favourite. He was the first outright market leader to score since Omerta in 1991.
Said O’Neill: “He was economical, brilliant, that was great. I get a nice feeling about them all, but I love these winners.
“He was in a great position all the way and everything worked out fine. I’m delighted for the horse, he has done nothing wrong all season, but Barry had to get him home in the end. He needed a big leap at the last and got it.
“After Cheltenham there wasn’t a lot left and this was the obvious place to come. He ran great at Cheltenham and, after that, we thought this was the race for him.
“Plan B didn’t work out badly. The plan now is a good rest and to look forward to him next season.”
Commented McManus: “It is a great race to win, so full marks to Jonjo, Barry and all the team at Jackdaws. This is a very special day.”
If there were somewhat unlucky horses through the contest then Goonyella and Mullaghanoe River would surely top the list.
Goonyella was ridden near the front by Andrew Lynch, but was almost on the floor at the 12th. That seemed to knock much of the stuffing out of him and he could only plug on afterwards to claim seventh spot.
Mullaghnoe River, with Nina Carberry replacing her brother, Paul, in the plate, appeared to be full of running when falling at the fifth last.
