Fairyhouse: Geraghty powers home in Gold Cup

Barry Geraghty

got the perfect confidence boost ahead of his attempt on a first Irish Grand National success this evening when

Rebel Fitz

broke the top rider’s duck in the

Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse yesterday.

In contrast the Grade One prize proved a disaster for champion trainer Willie Mullins – also yet to win the Irish National – who saw his representatives, Ballycasey and Mozoltov, crash out leaving Rebel Fitz to easily account for the only other starter Bright New Dawn.

Ballycasey looked to be in control of the race coming to the second last but the favourite took a heavy fall although Geraghty was happy he had the Mullins hope covered.

“I was squeezing my lad without getting serious with him and for me there was only going to be one winner. I’m not saying just because I won but I was happy I had Ballycasey covered,” said the former champion jockey.

Geraghty teams up with Shutthefrontdoor in this evening’s big race and is anxious to put the record straight in the biggest Easter prize of all.

Hot handicap
"It's my local track. I live a mile down the road. I was reared ten minutes from here and I would love to win the race," he said. "But it looks the hottest handicap I've ever ridden in. Anything could win it."

Rebel Fitz secured just the latest big pot of his career with this success and his Co Cork trainer Mick Winters said: "I know he's nine but this is the first time I felt he was ready to go for a race like this. I'd say there is more in the horse."

The Mullins team had better fortune in the €50,000 handicap when Daneking secured a cosy success.

“The ground was a big help and we’ll look at the big two-and-a-half mile handicap hurdle at Punchestown,” said Mullins. “He’s not a chaser so we may look at the flat for him.”