Geraghty off the mark in new McManus role

Barry Geraghty partnered his first winner in his new role as retained rider to top owner J.P. McManus when steering his Riviera Sun to win the Roscommon Rated Novice Hurdle at Roscommon today.

Geraghty returned from a shin injury at Limerick on Sunday where the dual Champion Jockey took two rides on his first day in his new role and made it third time lucky with Riviera Sun today.

Geraghty chose to ride the Henry De Bromhead trained gelding over McManus' other runner Off The Mark and the decision proved the correct one as Riviera Sun made all for a game win over three rivals.

Afterwards Geraghty, ever willing to answer 'how was that' type questions, stated “that's great – brilliant. He's a lovely horse and jumped and did everything well. It's nice to ride one for the boss.”

De Bromhead added “I was a tiny bit concerned about the two-and-a-half (miles) but he saw it out well.

“Barry gave him a super ride and he jumped really well and we're looking forward to him meeting a fence.

“At Leopardstown at Christmas he didn't see it out but it was a different scenario today and we'll look at Galway with him now.”

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson