Geraghty blames ground for Jezki defeat

Barry Geraghty has admitted it was disappointing Jezki could not see off Tombstone in the Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran last Saturday.

Having won on his return from a lengthy absence, Jessica Harrington's former Champion Hurdle hero was expected to book his place for Cheltenham.

However, in testing ground he could not reach Tombstone and the hope is he will be a better horse on improved ground.

"It was disappointing that Jezki couldn't win the Red Mills Hurdle at Gowran Park on Saturday," Geraghty told his At The Races blog.

"The ground was softer than he likes it and Tombstone is a good horse, but it was still disappointing that he couldn't beat him off level weights, after he had beaten him at Navan on his comeback run getting 6lb.

"Hopefully Jezki will be better next month, back at Cheltenham and back on better ground."

Geraghty did not ride Jezki but he was on Sutton Place 24 hours later as he extended his winning sequence in the Boyne Hurdle.

"I was very happy with Sutton Place on Sunday. The ground was heavy, it was his first experience of that type of ground, but he dealt with it well," he added.

"He was also racing over two miles and five furlongs for the first time so, on that ground, I rode him fairly patiently. I did have to get after him at the third last, but he found plenty for pressure and he won like a good horse.

"That's his sixth win now on the trot and his second this season. He continues to improve, and he proved on Sunday that he stays well, which opens up plenty of options for him."