Barry Geraghty will miss the ride on Champion Hurdle winner Jezki to ride Vaniteux
Wednesday 12 November 2014 15:23, UK
Barry Geraghty will miss the ride on Champion Hurdle winner Jezki at Punchestown on Sunday.
It has been confirmed that he will instead be in action at Cheltenham to partner StanJames.com Greatwood Hurdle favourite Vaniteux.
Geraghty steered the JP McManus-owned Jezki to Cheltenham Festival in March and with the owner's retained rider Tony McCoy sidelined by injury, he was the obvious choice to get back on board for a fascinating clash with Hurricane Fly in the Morgiana Hurdle.
However, Geraghty will instead ride at Prestbury Park for Nicky Henderson and is excited about the prospect of getting the leg-up on Vaniteux, last seen finishing third behind Vautour in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.
The jockey said: "Nicky has confirmed Vaniteux will run in Cheltenham and I'll look forward to riding him.
"It's a great complaint to have two horses like that to potentially ride, but I can't be in two places at once.
"I'll be riding Vaniteux and Birch Hill for Nicky in the bumper and I'll have to try and find a few other rides for the day, if I can."
Mark Walsh is now expected to partner Jezki for the first time in Sunday's Grade One feature at Punchestown.
