Tigris River (right) and Barry Geraghty beat Zafayan© Photo Healy Racing
Jockey Barry Geraghty gained an overdue first win at this year's Galway Festival when steering the Aidan O'Brien trained/J.P. McManus owned well backed even money favourite Tigirs River to win the opening Ladbrokes Mobile Maiden Hurdle.
The son of Montjeu, backed from 9/4 this morning, was produced by Geraghty to lead after the last and stayed on well for a comfortable win over the Dermot Weld trained Zafayan
Afterwards Geraghty, whose final flight fall on Thomas Edison in Thursday's Galway Hurdle provided the one of the main talking points of the week, quipped “I wasn't knocking on the door, I was knocking on the floor!
He added “it was nice to get one and he (Tigirs River) did it well.â€
Joseph O'Brien, representing his father Aidan O'Brien added “it looked a match on paper and possibly Mr Weld's horse was coming back quick enough (from a run on Monday).
“It's nice to get a win with him and we'll see where we go no. His jumping needs to improve but hopefully he'll come on a bit and the experience will help.
“He jumped well the last time and possibly not quite as well today but it's only his second run over hurdles.
“He's versatile ground wise as long as it isn't bottomless. He's a grand horse, has a good attitude and I'd say there are plenty of good days in him.â€
By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson
