Barry Geraghty
Barry Geraghty’s William Hill blog: Playtime for Piel at Fairyhouse
William Hill ambassador Barry Geraghty previews the best of Saturday’s racing from Haydock and Fairyhouse.
Haydock, Saturday
I think DANCE AND GLANCE is of interest in the Two Mile Hurdle Series Final (2:12pm). Last time out he was well beaten by Tutti Quanti in the William Hill Hurdle at Newbury but that was on heavy ground and his better form is on a sounder surface. He has some strong form before that, finishing behind All In You in Sandown and beating that same rival by a head at Ascot the time before, and prior to that running fourth behind Alexei. He was fifth in the Swinton Hurdle over this course and distance last year when dropped in at the rear of the field. He hasn’t been dropped in so much in recent times, and I think being ridden closer to the pace again could suit him back at a track he has performed well at in the past.
In the three-mile Stayers Hurdle Series Final (2:46pm), I thought WALDEN might be the one to side with. He made a good leap forward when stepping up in trip to three miles at Ascot last time and he should appreciate the trip again here. He’s done well this season, winning two of his three starts, and could continue his progression with the trip and ground in his favour.
The two-and-a-half-mile Veteran’s Chase Series Final (3:20pm) is mightily competitive. FUGITIF has dropped markedly in the weights in the past two seasons, from a high of 157, and now runs off a mark of 134. He kept on to finish runner-up behind Guard Your Dreams at Warwick last time out, which wasn’t a bad effort, and he’s now 10 pounds better off with that rival here. Since having wind surgery in December, he’s had two runs and they have been on soft and heavy ground, so I think he’s going to appreciate the better ground here. He had some excellent form a few seasons ago and I think conditions are in his favour to run to a good level. A first-time visor might be a help to him too.
Fairyhouse, Saturday
BIOLUMINESCENCE ran a big race to finish second behind Dinoblue over two miles at Naas in February and should be happier back up in trip in the two-mile-five-furlong Listed Mares Handicap Chase (2:40pm). She ran in the Irish National at this meeting last year and was sent off at a single-figure price for that, but this looks an easier assignment this time around. If she can build on her run last time out, I think she should go very close.
In the three-mile Novice Handicap Hurdle Series Final (4:25pm), my eye was drawn to Emmet Mullins’ VITORIO PIEL who was a good winner last time over two miles at Leopardstown. Previously he had run two good races to be placed over two-and-a-half miles and this further step up in trip could suit him. On his first start in a Punchestown bumper last season, he beat a smart rival in It’s Only A Game, which suggests he’s a horse with plenty of ability. I think he could be interesting here off a mark of 129.
Karbau is probably the one to beat in the two-mile Listed handicap hurdle (5:00pm), having come from a long way back to finish sixth in the William Hill County Hurdle at Cheltenham. However, PLAYTIME is a horse that I think could run a good race at a fancy price here. He took a good step forward the last day when winning by eight lengths at Leopardstown. The handicapper has reacted, putting him up nine pounds, but I think he looks a horse that could be open to further progression.
