Joseph O'Brien follows father 20 years on

Twenty years on from his father Aidan's win with Toast The Spreece, Joseph O'Brien joined him as a Galway Hurdle winning trainer when the J P McManus-owned Tigris River landed the 2017 renewal of the Grade A Guinness-backed two miler.

Barry Geraghty was winning the huge pot for the first time, and his mount, a son of Montjeu, was stepping up on his fifth placing in this contest twelve months back.

Only back from injury this week, Geraghty conjured a serious late rattle from Tigris River (5/1) to collar Swamp Fox for a neck win.

It was heartbreak for Swamp Fox's backers and connections as he was also runner-up in the amateur handicap here on the opening night. Airlie Beach ended up five lengths back in third with Joey Sasa three and a quarter lengths further back in fourth.

"Barry gave him a great ride. The horse was probably flat out the whole way because he was probably a bit further back than ideal," said O'Brien.

"I'm delighted as the preparation went perfect but I didn't think he'd get there at the last. There's no stronger man in the saddle than Barry though."

For his part Geraghty commented: "I said to Barry (Browne, rider of Swamp Fox) pulling up that you'll have 20 years to win one of these as that's how long I've been trying.

"Joseph had this fella in great shape though he never looked a winner until the death."

McManus and O'Brien were doubling their score on this card as they'd also captured the opening beginners chase with the J J Slevin-partnered Tesseract

It's a day that'll take some topping for the O'Brien clan. The Nassau Stakes over at Goodwood went to their Winter, whilst Donnacha rode their Corrib Fillies Stakes victor here at Galway, Music Box

Thriller - Tigris River wins the @GuinnessIreland Galway Hurdle! pic.twitter.com/gwXfONzjeD

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 3, 2017

The Stewards received a report from the Clerk of the Scales, P.L. Malone, that B.R. Dalton, rider of Morga had weighed in at 1.2lbs overweight.

Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who stated that his mount was a reserve and he was notified at 11 a.m this morning that the filly would get a run.

At that time he had about three pounds in weight to lose.

He added that he had a drink of water after weighing out and that his clothing had absorbed some rain.

Having considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that B.R. Dalton was in breach of Rule 231(iii) by weighing in more than 1lb overweight and therefore suspended him for 2 racedays having taken his previous record into consideration.

(TW & EM)