Geraghty to replace McCoy in McManus retainer

By Kevin Murphy

Barry Geraghty is expected to be confirmed as the retained rider for high profile owner JP McManus following the retirement of AP McCoy.

The Meath rider was the warm favourite for the role and is regularly seen riding winners in the green and gold silks of McManus.

Geragthy has ridden 33 winners at the Cheltenham festival and is regarded as one of the finest jockeys of his generation.

The new combination enjoyed memorable victories, with Jezki in the Champion Hurdle and More of That in the World Hurdle at the 2014 festival after McCoy had chosen other horses.

Speculation has been rife in recent days with McManus’s racing manager Frank Berry confirming that the final details are almost complete.

Berry told the Daily Mail: “Hopefully it will happen, It is just not finalised but it will be. There might be something during the week about it.”

McCoy travelled the length and breadth of Britain to ride winners for McManus but it remains to be seen whether Geragthy will take on such a gruelling schedule.