Michael Graham
Fisher leads home Elliott one two
Fisher and Barry Geraghty pass the post at Galway
© Photo Healy Racing
Fisher made a promising debut when landing the two mile maiden hurdle for three-year-olds at Galway for Gordon Elliott and Barry Geraghty (got a 1 day ban for using his whip above shoulder height).
The 5/1 shot was allowed to creep into the race before joining issue at the last. After a three-way battle to the line with stable companion Bigearsonmyright (11/2 from 8/1 in the morning) and Habesh (9/4f), he got up to score by a length and a half. Habesh's jockey Paddy Kennedy received the same sanction as Geraghty.
Fisher had been with Richard Hannon and Dandy Nicholls in England and raced on the flat there as recently as July.
“Barry said he’s a good horse and he’ll be better on nicer ground. That’s out first runner for David Barker. He trained in Yorkshire, but has finished training and is sick in hospital,” Gordon Elliott said.
“We haven’t had a winner in Ireland for six to seven weeks so I’m delighted with that. That’s our first winner out of our new yard and its an important winner for us.”
Elliott also saddled the runner-up Bigearsonmyright who was ridden by Davy Condon. He jumped into the lead at the last, but was no match for Fisher on the run-in.
Habesh was a further three lengths in arrears in third for Eugene O’Sullivan and Paddy Kennedy. He led after two but was collared by Elliott's horses at the business end of the race.
(on course reporting by Donal Murphy)