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Geraghty opts for Joy

Racing News Barry Geraghty has opted for Macs Joy over Back In Front in the Mongey Communications Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown…

Fri Nov 12 2004 - 00:00

Racing NewsBarry Geraghty has opted for Macs Joy over Back In Front in the Mongey Communications Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown on Sunday.

Geraghty sticks with Jessica Harrington's runner after partnering Macs Joy to victory over last season's Cheltenham Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Brave Inca at Down Royal last weekend.

"Macs Joy impressed me on Saturday and while I don't want to take anything away from Back In Front, I feel that Macs Joy will really put it up to him," said Geraghty.

Back In Front, who won the Supreme Novices' at the Festival in 2003, will be partnered by David Casey for the first time in the €47,000 Grade Two contest.

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Edward O'Grady's charge, who bids to win the Punchestown race for the second year running, will be having his first race over hurdles since he finished fifth to Golden Cross at Leopardstown last December.

He did, though, show his well-being when taking a two-mile maiden on the Flat at Navan a month ago when defeating Akilana by three and a half lengths, with Macs Joy a short-head away in third.

Other notable entries in the Punchestown feature include Tom Taaffe's Emotional Moment and Michael O'Brien's Irish Cesarewitch winner Essex.

Back in Front has been installed the 8 to 11 favourite with Cashmans despite being rejected by Geraghty.

BETTING: (Mongey Communications Morgiana Hurdle) Cashmans: 8-11 Back In Front, 2-1 Macs Joy, 7-1 Harchibald, 10-1 Essex, 12-1 Silk Screen.

Meanwhile, Geos, who short-headed Rooster Booster in the Tote Gold Trophy at Newbury last season, is set to re-oppose that rival in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham on Sunday.

Nicky Henderson has given the nine-year-old the green light to re-oppose the 2003 Champion Hurdle winner Rooster Booster, with whom he will only be 1lb worse off than at Newbury.

Mick Fitzgerald has been booked for Geos, who is owned by Thurloe Finsbury and their spokesman James Stafford said: "Nicky tells me Geos is in great form and we're looking forward to running at Cheltenham as long as Rooster Booster runs and keeps the weight depressed."