Geraghty to fight ban

BARRY GERAGHTY is likely to appeal against a 30-day ban from Limerick stewards which rules him out of the Punchestown Festival. Geraghty’s mount Noble Emperor, the 7-4 favourite who runs in the colours of his boss JP McManus, was deemed not have run on its merits when second by 11 lengths to Velocity Boy. Noble Emperor was banned from running for 60 days and trainer Tony Martin fined €3,000. Geraghty’s ban does not affect his availability for this week’s Aintree meeting. With McManus-owned Gold Cup fourth Carlingford Lough ruled out, Geraghty’s Grand National mount looks like being Jonjo O’Neill-trained Shutthefrontdoor, although he also has the option of riding the Martin-trained Gallant Oscar. Gavin Sheehan will ride Paul Nicholls-trained Black Thunder in the National. The 50-1 shot will be offered for sale at the bloodstock auction which follows racing at Aintree on Thursday. The meeting is pivotal in Nicholls’ attempts to land a 10th trainer’s title ahead of Willie Mullins, who would become the first Irishbased jumps trainer to be champion in this country since Vincent O’Brien in 1954. Nicholls is £30,000 short of £2million and leads Mullins by just under £250,000.