Barry Geraghty
Barry Geraghty’s William Hill blog: Gabbys Cross to go one better
William Hill ambassador Barry Geraghty previews Sunday’s racing from Ascot and Downpatrick.
Ascot, Sunday
WEST HILL VERDE brings some strong form into the card-opening two-and-a-half-mile maiden hurdle (1:55pm), having placed in a Grade 2 at Kelso on his last start. He made a bad mistake at the fourth last that day, pecking on landing, and without that error he would have finished a good bit closer to the winner Montemares. Looking further back in his form, he finished third to the Turners runner-up Act Of Innocence in November, which has clearly worked out very well. He should be hard to beat here.
Having just missed out on getting a run in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham, it’s interesting that Charles Byrnes has brought MUNSIF over for the two-mile juvenile hurdle (3:05pm). He has some good form to his name in Ireland, including when finishing third behind Highland Crystal and subsequent Fred Winter winner Saratoga at Naas last month. Sean Bowen is an eye-catching booking too.
It’s not easy to split the five runners in the two-mile handicap chase (3:40pm), but AUTHOCELTIC is lightly raced and could be the most progressive in the field. He was beaten half-a-length by the reopposing Haas Boy at Newton Abbot back in October but is now seven pounds better off with that rival. He went on to win his next start at Wincanton before being sent off favourite at Ludlow last time. That didn’t go to plan as he made a bad mistake at the second last which effectively ended his chance. If jumping better here, I thought he could be the one in a tricky race.
In the veterans’ handicap chase (4:50pm), GABBYS CROSS might be able to reverse form with Copperhead from last time. He led on the run to the last that day at Newbury and just looked to get a little bit lonely. Before that he also has some good form in the book, when beaten a length-and-a-half behind Nocte Volatus and Le Milos in veteran’s company at Sandown in January. Good ground conditions will suit him here. Sean Bowen is a positive jockey booking and Nick Scholfield is having a brilliant time at the moment.
Downpatrick, Sunday
SLANAGAIBHGOLEIR is stepping up in trip in the Ulster National (4:27pm) after being beaten just half-a-length last time in a novice chase at Down Royal. That was a decent race and he looks of interest now stepping back into handicap company. Prior to that he finished third on heavy ground at Gowran, but before that he won a chase at Down Royal on better ground. I think the better ground here and step up in trip could bring about some improvement.
