Barry Geraghty back on top at Galway

Barry Geraghty's battle to be back from injury in time for the Galway Festival was rewarded as he claimed top National Hunt rider honours at the week-long meeting at Ballybrit.

Geraghty has been most unfortunate on the injury front in recent months, a fact compounded when he broke his arm in a fall from Minella Foru in the Irish Grand National.

That tumble ruled him out of the Punchestown Festival, having already missed Cheltenham due to lung and rib injuries he sustained in a fall at Kempton in February. He also broke his other arm in a fall at Market Rasen in July last year.

He set his sights on returning for Galway and picked up four winners, scoring on his first ride back on Monday and hitting the jackpot in the Galway Hurdle on Thursday, with Le Richebourg and Tigris River both trained by Joseph O'Brien for his boss, JP McManus.

Geraghty said: "It was always the target to get back for Galway and to ride four winners is brilliant."

Willie Mullins was crowned top trainer with 12 winners, with Billy Lee taking top spot in the Flat riders' competition.

Mullins said: "We have had a great week. The Galway Hurdle was a bit disappointing and we went close in the Plate. Riven Light was a bit unlucky (not to win twice), but I think we have had the rub of the green all week, so we can't complain."