Barry’s Geraghty has had a good Galway and it’s great to have him back, he showed great strength to get him home, from the last especially.” Insisted owner JP McManus after his horse Tigris River (5/1) swooped late to deny Swamp Fox in the dying strides of the Guinness Galway Handicap Hurdle to win the feature contest on day four of Ballybrit’s seven-day festival.

Though unquestionably that Swamp Fox looked the probable winner when he headed Airlie Beach at the final flight, but Barry Geraghty was in no temperament to be denied as he gained ground hand over fist on the run-in and was rewarded for his efforts on the Joseph O’Brien-trained six-year-old.

Victory was extra special for the winning trainer, as it was 20 years ago that his father Aidan got his name on the roll of honour with Toast The Spruce.

Joesph O’Brien stated after the race “Barry gave him a great ride. The horse was probably flat out the whole way because he was probably a bit further back than ideal, “I’m delighted as the preparation went perfect, but I didn’t think he’d get there at the last. There’s no stronger man in the saddle than Barry, though.”