Anibale Fly and Barry Geraghty (right) heading for victory© Photo Healy Racing
Leading rider of the Festival Barry Geraghty bagged another on a memorable week for himself and his employer, J P McManus (his ninth of Punchestown 2016) as Anibale Fly landed the big money Grade B Coral Handicap Hurdle for Tony Martin.
"He was a bit disappointing the last day and everything went right today. He took on a very good horse (Bellshill) when he was third at Naas," said Martin.
"He's only a young horse, and hopefully he's learning from his races. He's big enough that he could jump a fence."
Second favourite at 6/1 (from 15/2 on track and bigger earlier) in this twenty five strong field, Anibale Fly made his ground from mid-division from before the third last flight.
He got the upper hand on Rebecca Curtis' The Romford Pele (unseated in the Grand National three weeks back) at the last, and he went on to prevail by three lengths.
B.J. Cooper, rider of Tiger Roll trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was pulled up having gone lame.
(AM & EM)
