Impressive Ascot treble for Geraghty

Drumree jockey Barry Geraghty enjoyed a profitable visit to Ascot on Saturday where he teamed-up with trainer Nicky Henderson for two winners as he completed a treble at the English track. Henderson recruited Geraghty a couple of months ago and on Saturday the Meath man won the opening race at the English track with 5/2 favourite Busker Royal in a novices" handicap hurdle. Geraghty had to wait until the last race to complete the double for Henderson when he scored with another favourite, Riverside Theatre (11/10). Former jockey Carl Llewellyn provided Geraghty with his other success when the Drumree man guided Roll Along to victory in the United House Gold Cup, a three-mile handicap chase. Roll Along may now be aimed at the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday, 29th November and is currently available at 10/1 third favourite for that race. Robbie Colgan has ridden a lot of winners for Tony Martin, but on Saturday at Down Royal he turned the tables on the popular Meath trainer when he won a valuable handicap hurdle at Down Royal. Colgan was on board Sole Bonne Femme which was fairly friendless in the market at 14/1, but was good enough to edge out Martin"s odds-on favourite Arc Bleu which was over a length back in third at the post. Colgan made all with the Arthur Moore-trained six-year-old which won at Navan last February. The money piled on to Arc Bleu which earlier this year won the £200,000 Northumberland Plate at Newcastle and was then second in the Cesarwitch at Newmarker for Johnny Murtagh last month. Champion jockey Ruby Walsh kept Arc Bleu towards the rear until approaching the second last, but the duo were unable to overhaul Colgan who made all the running and beat Noel Meade"s Right Or Wrong, which is owned by Neighbours Racing Club, into the runner-up spot. There was some compensation for Martin and Walsh when Ross Accord won a handicap chase. Cortown jockey Roger Loughran won the opening maiden hurdle with Sarteano for trainer Dessie Hughes. Loughran was always prominent on the grey gelding and won by three lengths. On the flat at Leopardstown on Sunday there were wins for Declan McDonogh and Keagan Latham ahead of his departure from the Ger Lyons yard for winter in South Africa and Dubai. Johnny Murtagh will also be hoping to get back into contention in the race for the flat title when he returns from Australia this week although Pat Smullen and Fran Berry lead the way at the moment. Emmet McNamara, who is also attached to the Lyons stable, is leading the way in the race for the apprentice title from Danny Mullins, Shane Foley and Martin Harley. Horse Racing Ireland will again celebrate the flat racing championships with specially commissioned perpetual silver trophies, which will be presented on the final day of the 2008 flat season in Dundalk on Friday, 5th December.