Questions for McManus as Geraghty ruled out of Festival
Leading owner JP McManus now has massive questions to answer as his retained jockey, Barry Geraghty, has been ruled out of the Cheltenham Festival. Geraghty suffered a suspected punctured lung and broken ribs after his fall from hot favourite Charli Parcs in the Adonis juvenile hurdle at Kempton on Saturday. The initial prognosis was given on Saturday night and claimed that despite the suspected injuries, the Festival's second most successful jockey would be able to return to the saddle before Cheltenham. However, subsequent scans have found this not to be the case and the top rider will be forced to sit out during the pinnacle of the national hunt season. This will be gutting news to JP McManus whose strong festival squad of horses could have done with 'cool-hand Barry' on board. The big question now is, who gets all the rides? With massive hopes like Yanworth and UKnowWhatIMeanHarry to feature, who will get the luxury of the top spare rides. Obvious candidates would include that of Aidan Coleman, Noel Fehily or perhaps the second man in command in Ireland, Mark Walsh. Walsh, a very accomplished man in the saddle himself has been plying his trade as McManus' number two stretching back to the A.P McCoy days. This could well be the ideal time for Geraghty's apprentice to step into the limelight and show off his obvious capabilities. No doubt though McManus will not be swayed by anyone else's opinion and has every right to make the decision he feels is the best move for his own horses. I'd have to admit that I'm not the only one that feels sorry for Barry Geraghty and he will be sorely missed at the Festival no matter who his replacement is, here's to a speedy recovery Barry!