McManus off to a corker in Galway opener

Owner J.P. McManus, trainer Joseph O’Brien and jockey Barry Geraghty completed the opening-days’-double at Galway when St Leger third Housesofparliament won Day Two’s opener, the Colm Quinn BMW Novice Hurdle today, 24 hours after the trio won the festival opener with Le Richebourg.

Ex-Ballydoyle trained Housesofparliament, a well backed 11/4 second-favourite, wandered around inside the final furlong but maintained his lead to the line for a length and three parts win over Morgan The win was also Geraghty’s second in as many days since returning to action yesterday, having fractured his left arm in a fall in the Irish Grand National in April 17.

Afterwards Joseph O’Brien stated “it wasn’t ideal the way the race worked out but it was great he won.

“He got his jumping together after a couple and you’d have to be happy as there was plenty word for a few of them in it.

“He doesn’t have to go any further yet (2m) but he should stay further as he got 1m6f on the flat but it’s not on the agenda yet. We’ll try and find something like a winners’ race next.”

Geraghty added “he was a good Flat horse and was third in the Leger at Doncaster. He was workmanlike but jumped well and he'll improve for the experience.

“He's obviously proven on the Flat that he has an engine but he needs to improve a bit I'd say.”

Additional information from Gary Carson