At Cork today leading jockey Barry Geraghty reflected on his remarkable runner-up finish to his older brother Ross Geraghty in the American Grand National at Far Hills yesterday.

American based Ross Geraghty, on Dawalan, fended off his brother in the closing stages of the showpiece race on the Gordon Elliott trained Eshtiaal and his Irish-based brother today stated "it would have helped if my lad had had a previous run (in USA) as he was running around a bit and being a bit careful. He is progressing well but was beaten fair on square on the day.

"Ross he broke three wings off vertebrae during the summer so has been off for a long time and it was a great result for him. He'd only ridden three or four winners this year but it was good for him to get a good double."

Clearly showing no signs of tiredness today, Geraghty registered a double and a second on his three rides and, after partnering Shadow Catcher to a nose win in the novice chase, quipped "I'm not jet-lagged at all, I'd a grand sleep on the plane!"

By Tom Weekes