Barry Geraghty
Barry Geraghty’s William Hill blog: Myretown might be the best-handicapped horse in training
William Hill ambassador Barry Geraghty looks over the pick of the racing on a busy weekend from Ascot, Haydock and Windsor.
Ascot, Saturday
Nurse Susan has won her last two and is top-rated in the Grade 2 Warfield Mares’ Hurdle (1:40pm), but the drop back to two miles is a concern, even on soft ground. I thought LA CONQUIERE won a Listed race nicely on soft ground at Newbury last time. The third-placed horse in that race had filled out the same position behind Fortune De Mer on her previous run, which makes it look good form. She’s run well on all her four starts to date, will like the conditions and could have more to offer.
VINCENZO looks to hold strong claims in the two-mile-five-furlong handicap chase (2:20pm). He’s run two very good races in defeat so far this season, first finishing second behind subsequent Coral Gold Cup winner Panic Attack at Cheltenham and then when runner-up behind Glengouly in the December Gold Cup. Those are by some way the best bits of form in this race, and he has only gone up three pounds since the beginning of the season, so this looks an ideal chance for him to get his head in front.
I thought TRIPOLI FLYER might offer a bit of value in the Holloway’s Handicap Hurdle (2:53pm). He has some excellent form over hurdles from last season, including when winning the Dovecote at Kempton. He’s been set some hard tasks this season, facing Lulamba and Sir Gino, but didn’t run badly when beaten 18 lengths in the Christmas Hurdle last time. That’s strong form in the context of this race and he should appreciate these calmer waters. If he can get back to the best of his form from last season, he could go well.
The Grade 1 Clarence House Chase (3:30pm) looks to be at the mercy of IL ETAIT TEMPS who readily got the better of Jonbon at Sandown in the Tingle Creek. I think this trip might be a bit sharp for Jonbon now, even on soft ground, and Willie’s [Mullins] runner should take a lot of stopping. Thistle Ask has been fantastic this season and Gidleigh Park is a high-class horse too, but both have to step up here if they are to get the better of Jonbon and Il Etait Temps.
Haydock, Saturday
The Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle (1:25pm) looks a strong race. OLD PARK STAR was very impressive when winning by 12 lengths at Cheltenham last time. Haydock might be a sharp enough track for him but he shouldn’t have any worries on the softer ground. Hurricane Pat did beat Old Park Star in a bumper at the beginning of last season, but the selection seems to have grown into himself since joining Nicky [Henderson] and there looks sure to be more to come from him.
I’m certainly not going to desert MYRETOWN in the Peter Marsh Chase (2:00pm) as I think he could be the best-handicapped horse in training. The form of his Ultima win at Cheltenham is standing up and while he was put up 15 pounds for that, I doubt that’s enough for the handicapper to have caught up with him. He can be bold in his jumping, as he showed when coming down at Newbury last time, but if he stands up here, I think he should be very hard to beat.
Windsor, Sunday
SALVER was the one that caught my eye in the Grade 2 Hampton Novices’ Chase (1:20pm). He was a good winner at Sandown two starts back and then I think the going was too quick for him at Kempton in the Kauto Star. He has some good form on soft and heavy ground and with the rain around, conditions should be more to his liking at Windsor. He stays this trip and looks to have a good chance here.
The three-mile Weatherbys Racing Bank Handicap Hurdle (2:25pm) looks a competitive heat and there could be value to be had with one at bigger odds in KEABLE. He was a winner on soft ground at Newbury on his return to action this season and might have found the going a bit quick at Chepstow last time. He kept on well to finish third though and he returns on the same mark here. Back on softer ground a better run could be ahead of him.
Everything points to PROTEKTORAT landing a second Fleur De Lys Chase (3:00pm) after his success in the race last year. He went from the front there and blew away a strong rival in Djelo, and it doesn’t look like there’s a horse of that calibre in opposition here. Protektorat also gets weight from his main market rivals, Handstands and Matata, and that makes him a strong selection.
