Shadow Catcher (far side), Padraig's Joy (centre) and Guitar Pete© Photo Healy Racing
A pair of owner Mrs Pat Sloan's horses fought out a thrilling finish in the three runner Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Chase at Cork today, with the Gordon Elliott trained Shadow Catcher beating the similarly owned and Sandra Hughes trained Guitar Pete
Jockey Barry Geraghty was hard at work, last of the trio, on winner Shadow Catcher early in the home straight but did force the son of Haafhd into contention jumping the final flight.
Remarkably nothing separated Guitar Pete, Shadow Catcher and Padraig's Joy jumping the last with Padraig's Joy folding first on the run-in. Shadow Catcher and Geraghty stayed on best to eventually edge a nose win over Guitar Pete.
When asked his opinion as the pair passed the line, Geraghty, who finished second yesterday's American Grand National, stated "often with the nod you might be wrong but I thought I was up.
"It was soon after his last run and was a bit flat. He missed the second last as he didn't have that but of zip that's needed."
"I'm not jet-lagged at all, I'd a grand sleep on the plane!"
The win was Geraghty's second of the afternoon, having also finished second, from three rides.
By Tom Weekes
