Barry Geraghty was in virtually unstoppable form at a sun-drenched Killarney yesterday as he piloted a three-timer.
The former champion's treble was initiated when he teamed-up with Michael Hourigan to land the European Breeders Fund Beginners Chase with Minella Leisure. The triumphant eight-year-old is owned by Clonmel hotelier John Nallen and Listowel will be his next port-of-call.
Indeed, Geraghty was back in the winners enclosure just thirty minutes later after he drove the Tom Taaffe-trained Secret Native to the front at the penultimate obstacle to dispense with Clonmel's Minella by a hard-fought one and a half lengths in the Hotel Europe Handicap Chase.
The Co Meath jockey's final winner came courtesy of top-weight Thesus in the Lake Hotel Handicap Chase. In common with Rock Of Gibralter a son of Danehill, the Pat Hughes-trained Thesus led from two out to triumph with consumnate ease by eight lengths from Mill Bank.
John Bowles has endured a frustrating time of late, but the Co Westmeath trainer got back into the winning groove as Zamnah landed the Mike Cronin Sand & Gravel Handicap Hurdle. Zamnah was partnered by Paul Moloney, but she was providing the Welsh-born handler with his first success since Starry Lady won at Navan back in February.
The Frances Crowley-trained Gaysian proved to be a popular winner of the opening McSweeney Arms Hotel Maiden Hurdle. Partnered by Ruby Walsh, Gaysian beat Jannie De Vere by a half length, but the winner then had to survive an objection by the runner-up's rider Barry Geraghty for alleged interference after the last.
The Paddy Mullins-trained Native Mistress atoned for a disappointing effort at Galway five days earlier by powering clear with Tim Hyde inside the final furlong in the Killarney Racegoers Club Flat Race.
