Keep on the right side of Walsh

Galway and Cork previews: Barry Geraghty returns to action at Galway tomorrow and the former champion jockey will be hoping …

Galway and Cork previews: Barry Geraghty returns to action at Galway tomorrow and the former champion jockey will be hoping for better luck this time than on his last visit to Ballybrit.

Geraghty broke his nose and his jaw, as well as suffering a black eye and lacerations, in a fall in the opening race on Galway Hurdle day last month.

The injuries must have felt even more sore when his intended mount Cuan Na Grai ran away with the big race but Geraghty still makes his comeback at Galway with two scheduled mounts, Artistic Lad in the handicap hurdle and Kings Orchard in the handicap chase.

The man to follow, however, could be Geraghty's great rival Ruby Walsh who can kick the meeting off with the Down Royal winner Spes Ultima in the novice hurdle and the smart bumper mare Chomba Womba half an hour later. Walsh also looks to have a good chance on Anno Jubilo, not beaten far behind Callow Lake at Tralee, in the novice chase where Billy Bonnie looks the danger.

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The former Meld Stakes winner Latino Magic has been in fine form all summer without winning but Robbie Osborne's horse can put that right at Cork tomorrow in the one mile conditions race.

Latino Magic wasn't suited by the ground conditions in the Cambridgeshire but still ran a fine fourth last time out.

With the ground at Cork likely to be a lot faster, he looks a very decent bet to come out on top against the three-year-old Golden Arrow.

Dermot Weld's colt has a couple of pounds in hand of Latino Magic on official ratings but if it comes down to a fight, the older horse can outmuscle his junior.

Willie Mullins runs three in the conditions hurdle and this track should be ideal for the versatile and in-form Euro Leader.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column