Barry Geraghty’s William Hill blog: Beachcomber can be Magic again round Kempton

William Hill Barry Geraghty looks over Saturday’s racing from Kempton, Newcastle and Fairyhouse.

Michael O’Sullivan

It’s so tough for everyone really, and of course especially Michael’s family and Partner. We had been hanging onto hope since the fall, as Michael battled so bravely for over a week but unfortunately the news we were all dreading came on Sunday morning that Michael had passed away during the night.

Everyone will have seen the outpouring of love and grief this week from his school friends, his GAA friends, his college friends, his racing friends. It wasn’t an easy day at Punchestown yesterday on the first day back racing in Ireland. There’s a collective grief among his weighing room colleagues, who share such a common bond.

Michael’s talent was obvious to everyone, and we saw that in Cheltenham two years ago especially. He was a wonderful person in every way. He had a very easy way about him and was above all, a very kind-natured person, and I suppose that was even reflected in his riding – he was a lovely quiet, patient rider. Being in his company was just the same, he had a very easy presence and was generous with everyone. People were drawn to him because he was such a beautiful person.

Kempton, Saturday

It’s probably not a vintage renewal of the Pendil (1:50pm). Rubaud is the favourite but all his form is over two miles and for me he just hasn’t transferred his level of form from hurdles to fences this season. Apart from disappointing at Newbury in November, IMPERIAL SAINT brings a good level of consistent form into this. He beat Richmond Lake at Aintree over Christmas and then was only beaten two lengths at Cheltenham last time. With doubts about the favourite, I think he’s probably the one to side with.

There’s no Lulamba in the Adonis (2:25pm) but MONDO MAN, who chased him home at Ascot looks a standout here. He ran very keen there, but they may go quicker here with Kempton being a sharper track, which should help him settle better. Having that experience under his belt and given what he achieved on the Flat, he is the one to beat.

The Dovecote (3:00pm) looks an open race. It’s easy to like MIAMI MAGIC and he possibly would be a warmer favourite if he came from a bigger stable. He’s a course and distance winner having won by 16 lengths at Kempton back in November and the form of that contest has worked out well. Last time he ran a big race to run Potters Charm close at Aintree and he’d be the pick. One to keep an eye on at a much bigger price is Roadlesstravelled, especially if there’s any market support for him. He won a Grade 2 at Haydock back in November but was pulled up in the Aintree race Miami Magic finished second in. If you were to draw a line through his last run, though, he’s a horse who could be way overpriced.

There are plenty with chances in the Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase (3:35pm). Lowry’s Bar looks to have a big shout and Hyland, who finished second to The Jukebox Man last time, has great form. He’s a worthy favourite but he has a big weight to carry and is a short enough price. I thought BEACHCOMBER, who won really impressively at Kempton over Christmas might offer some more value. Kempton doesn’t suit all horses, so when you have form there it’s never a bad thing. He showed great pace when winning last time and seems to like these conditions, so looks to have at least an each-way chance.

Newcastle, Saturday

Plenty hold chances in the Eider Handicap (2:10pm) at Newcastle. One that I thought could be a little bit of value was EGBERT who had Famous Bridge 14 lengths behind him when winning the Tommy Whittle at Haydock last time. That horse has since come out and won the Grand National Trial at Haydock, so the form looks strong. Egbert won last time after disappointing on his first start of the season, but Alan King put that down to needing his first run. He has form on good ground, but he’s proved that he stays very well. He looks to have been kept for this race and should relish the test of stamina.

Fairyhouse, Saturday

It’s interesting that Paul Townend rides I Am Maximus in the Bobbyjo (3:25pm) but I think that might be him just staying loyal to his Grand National hero, and probably points to what he’s going to ride come the race in April. On recent form though, you have to go with NICK ROCKETT. He was a good winner of the Thyestes and he gets 12 pounds off I Am Maximus here, so it’s very hard to make a case against him. With the Grand National weights now release it will be interesting to see how Intense Raffles goes now switching back to fences from hurdles.

William Hill are Non Runner Money Back on all 28 races at the Cheltenham Festival.