Geraghty on Sentry Duty for Ascot race

Drumree jockey Barry Geraghty enjoyed another good Saturday on the road when he made his customary trip to England and recorded a double at Ascot for trainer Nicky Henderson. Sentry Duty ran out an impressive winner of the Ladbroke Hurdle when Geraghty held off the challenge of Belcantista after a mistake at the last cost Numide his chance. 'He travelled well, I gave him a squeeze turning in and he came alive, stated Geraghty. 'I went wide looking for the better ground as he doesn"t like it soft, Nicky told me that if I was within two lengths turning in I"d be fine,' added the Drumree man. Even more impressive was the display of Punchestowns in the Long Walk Hurdle. Punchestowns travelled sweetly for Geraghty as Blazing Bailey took over from Lough Derg three from home. The Henderson runners were always going well and it was Punchestowns which proved the best, coming home 11 lengths clear of his stablemate, Due De Regniere. The performance installed Henderson"s charge as a major contender for the World Hurdle at Cheltenham next March. 'What can I say, that was only his fifth run over hurdles, he was a bit novicey at a few of them, but he was very impressive,' stated Geraghty. Geraghty will face a hectic Christmas schedule as he will be teaming up with Punjabi in the Stan James Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Friday next, St Stephen"s Day. Punjabi is favourite with the sponsors to continue Henderson"s domination of the hurdling division following Binocular"s demolition of his rivals in the Boylesports.com International at Ascot on Saturday. Locally, all the focus will be on Leopardstown after Christmas and Castletown trainer Noel Meade could have two runners in the December Festival Hurdle next Monday in Aitmatov and Muirhead. Harchibald could go to Kempton on Friday next as an alternative. The Leopardstown Christmas Festival will kick-off on Friday with the first of the four days and there is the added bonus that children under-14 will be admitted free. Racing will start each day at 12.25. Enthusiasts travelling from Meath to the Foxrock venue should follow the M50 and exit at Junction 15, from there follow the signs to the designated car parking areas. Alternatives include the LUAS from St Stephens Green to Sandyford / Brewery Road which takes only 22 minutes and a free shuttle bus service will operate to the course. There is also a bus service from Busaras, contact Leopardstown at (01) 2890500 or Dublin Bus at (01) 7034404 for timetable.