Geraghty gets winning start with Willie The Shoe

Barry Geraghty, odds-on favourite to be leading jockey at the Punchestown Festival, stepped up his challenge for the title by taking today’s opening Lemongrass Restaurants Handicap Hurdle on Willie The Shoe.

The 5-1 favourite looked in danger of being beaten as Stutter came cruising to the front heading to the last flight.

But Geraghty’s mount, in the familiar colours of Dorans Pride, was quicker in the air and prevailed by half a length, with Trail Storm a further two and a half lengths back in third.

“That is his first run for me – he has only been in the yard for 10 days,” said winning trainer Jessica Harrington.

“His previous run at Cork was very good, but it is Michael Hourigan who has done all the work. I’ve just been keeping him ticking over.

“He’ll now be campaigned through the summer on this sort of good ground.”

Harrington reported her stable star Moscow Flyer to be in “grand order” following his big-race win yesterday.

“He is very well and was out rolling this morning,” she added.