Guitar Pete and Barry Geraghty© Photo Healy Racing
Barry Geraghty teamed up with trainer Dessie Hughes for a winning 'spare' in the opening Grade 1 race on Hennessy Gold Cup day at Leopardstown today, landing the Gala Retail Spring Juvenile Hurdle on Guitar Pete
Geraghty last teamed up successfully with Hughes almost five years ago, on Shirley Casper in April 2009, and came in for the ride on Guitar Pete once Hughes' regular jockey Bryan Cooper was claimed to ride Tiger Roll for his new employers Gigginstown House Stud.
Geraghty moved Guitar Pete to the front entering the home straight and from there, the pair stayed on well for a two and a quarter lengths win over the Cooper ridden Tiger Roll.
Afterwards Hughes stated “he's very honest, loves that trip and just gallops. He did it well when winning at Christmas and has done everything right since and the ground was the only thing today; he had never ran on ground as heavy as this but it didn't seem to bother him.
“You couldn't ask for much better today and there were some good horses and it was a very true run race. He's proven his worst now and will go for the Triumph Hurdle next - Our Conor might have a bit more speed but this lad grinds it out and jumps exceptionally well. ”
Boylesports and Paddy Power subsequently cut Guitar Pete to 10/1 (from 20s) for the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Nine to ten favourite Ivan Grozny disappointed in fourth place and his trainer Willie Mullins, later in the day, reported “we have found nothing wrong with him; he confirmed Christmas form but didn't confirm what he shows us on the gallops at home.”
“We'll have to see but maybe that's as good as he is” before quipping “he might get a nice mark for the Fred Winter (handicap hurdle at Cheltenham)!”
By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson
