Champion jockey Barry Geraghty will have to pass the Turf Club doctor Walter Halley if he is to ride at Fairyhouse today after taking a heavy fall in the Brady Catering Porterstown Handicap Chase at the course on Saturday.
Geraghty was kicked on his lower back when Coq Hardi Diamond came down early on the final circuit in a race in which there was plenty of drama before the Arthur Moore-trained Tyndarius caused a 12-1 surprise.
'Barry is sore as he got kicked in the fall. I will see him here before racing tomorrow to determine if he will be fit to carry on,' explained Dr Halley.
Peggy`s Lad looked all over the winner of this extended three-mile contest until making a mess of the final fence, landing awkwardly and unseating Ruby Walsh to leave his closest pursuer Tyndarius to come home clear of 10-1 chance Darmil.
Ruby Walsh and Willie Mullins, rider and trainer respectively of Peggy`s Lad, were quickly compensated when Tryphaena took the Ladbroke RacingHandicap Hurdle in a tight finish from 8-1 chance Moving On Up and the fast-finishing Ricardo (10-1).
'She will get a little break now and we will aim her at the Pierse Handicap Hurdle, formerly the Ladbroke, at Leopardstown in early January,' said Mullins.
Malabar has the four-mile National Hunt Chase as his long-term target this season and got a 7-1 quote for the Cheltenham Festival event from Cashmans after proving a decisive winner of the Blanchardstown Centre Beginners Chase.
A faller over hurdles on his previous start last January, Malabar was produced fit and well by Edward O`Grady to maintain the good run of form being enjoyed by his horses under a polished ride from the champion amateur Philip Fenton.
Conor O`Dwyer took the riding honours with a double aboard Francies Fancy (12-1) and Masalarian, a heavily-backed even-money winner of the Duggan Brothers Hurdle.
