Geraghty and Harrington take day's opener

Champion Hurdle winning connections Barry Geraghty and Jessica Harrington combined to win the opening Colm Murray Memorial Handicap Hurdle with 10/1 co-favourite of five Macnicholson

Geraghty was at work before the straight on the son of Definite Article but eventually forced the gelding to the front in the close stages for a half length win over Pivot Bridge

Afterwards Harrington, who runs Cheltenham here Jezki in tomorrow's Champion Hurdle, stated “I was actually a bit worried about the ground the last day at Kilbeggan that it would be too quick but we just needed to get his head in front.

“The 6lbs penalty he carried today was a bit of a bummer but he did it well. He really needs two and a half miles but they went really quick and all he was doing was staying. He had been struggling on very soft ground and he might have a break now and come back for Galway.”

The race was named in honour of late RTE sports presenter Colm Murray who died last July and Harrington, who herself lost her own husband Johnny Harrrington last month, later expressed her delight at winning the race in honour of the racing-mad Murray. She said “Colm was a terrific person and he fought the battle. I knew him well and this race is wonderful to win.”

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson