Geraghty chooses Mac's Joy ahead of Back in Front

Back in Front will be partnered by David Casey for the first time in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown this weekend. His regular jockey Barry Geraghty has made an interesting switch to ride Mac's Joy in the €47,000 Grade 2 Mongey Communication Morgiana Hurdle, one of three graded races on a thrilling card at Punchestown on Sunday.

Former Supreme Novice's Hurdle winner Back in Front is jointly owned by Dermot Cox and Neilus Hayes, whose colours he now runs in, and is expected to start favourite for the feature race which he won last year. Back in Front made an impressive return to the winner's enclosure at Navan last month when beating Mac's joy in a two mile flat race. Commenting on his decision to ride Mac's Joy, Barry Geraghty said 'Mac's Joy impressed me on Saturday when winning in the north and whilst I don't want to take anything away from Back In Front, I feel that Mac's Joy will really put it up to him'. Other notable entries include Tom Taaffe's versatile Emotional Moment, and Michael O'Brien's exciting Cesarewitch winner Essex.

The supporting races on the card include the Grade 2 Western Pleasure Craddocktown Novice Chase a race that has traditionally thrown up some of the country's up and coming stars including Moscow Flyer. This year's race looks like a vintage renewal with a particularly strong entry from the Noel Meade stable headed by Sir OJ an impressive winner at Galway when last seen on the track. Other notable entries include Michael O Brien's Galway Festival winner Swordplay & the exciting Down Royal winning mare, Mariah Rollins.

The Irish Field Novice Steeplechase has attracted a select filed of entries including Friends Amigo fresh from his win at Cork on Sunday, the Noel Meade trained Mullacash & Forget the Past. Among the entries for Saturday's card are Like-A-Butterfly, Commanche Court and Newmill who are all making a come back to the track after long lay offs and are sure to provide some interesting viewing.

Dick O Sullivan general manager of Punchestown commented that 'I am delgithed to see such strong entries for this weekend's racing and it should give everyone a good insight as to what the future holds for some of our top chasers and hurdlers '. Dick also commented that 'as well as top quality racing this weekend in Punchestown we are offering much more in terms of family entertainment including live music after racing, kiddies magic show, face painting & big screen live coverage of the Ireland versus South Africa rugby match.'