Cool Macavity (Barry Geraghty, right) jumps the last with City Slicker (blue cap) and The Game Changer (centre)© Photo Healy Racing
Barry Geraghty delivered Nicky Henderson's Cool Macavity at the right time to land the Grade B bragbet.com Handicap Hurdle at Punchestown.
Geraghty may have had his whip fly out of his hand from the back of the last but that made absolutely no difference as his mount, a son of One Cool Cat, went on to defeat Willie Mullins' front-runner, City Slicker by two lengths.
"It's a nice way to start - to get something on the board," stated Henderson.
He then reflected: "We had the most extraordinary day here this day last year. You can't say it's quite Sprinter Sacre proportions but it's nice."
On Cool Macavity the Seven Barrows maestro commented: "He's a smart little horse – he's a summer horse – he needs very good ground.
"He has been going well – working with another one of mine for the last three weeks. I was worried that the other horse had lost a bit of toe.
"Barry wants to go to the Galway Hurdle with him – he could do as he's a two miler that wants top of the ground.
"He's in the Chester Cup but I don't think he'll go there. I think that's a bit far for him on the flat.
"It's good for Christopher and Bridget Hanbury (of Triermore Stud) who are over here most of the time now."
R. Walsh, rider of Lucky Bridle trained by W.P. Mullins, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount ran too free.
The Stewards requested a report from W.P. Mullins, trainer as to the apparent improvement in form of City Slicker, placed second, as compared with its recent form. The trainer reported that this horse was tried in a hood last twice which didn't seem to work and perhaps removing it today brought about an improvement. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the contents of the report.
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Lucky Bridle, trained by W.P. Mullins, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be blowing hard post race.
T.E. Doran, rider of Star Of Aragon trained by J.A. Nash, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount made a bad mistake at a hurdle and unseated on the flat shortly after.
(GC & EM)
