Barry Geraghty’s William Hill blog: Hewick can land second Sandown success

Sandown, Saturday 

Jonbon is a bit of a surprise runner in the Celebration Chase (1:40pm). He put in a brilliant performance when winning really well in Aintree last time and before that he chased home El Fabiolo in the Arkle which was another great run. I would have a slight concern that this race comes only two weeks after Aintree, as he put in such a big performance there. On the plus side he is a seven-year-old as a novice, so he has age on his side.

Captain Guinness ran a great race in the Champion Chase last time and is a horse that seems to be coming back to form. He had Geaneteen 24 lengths behind him there, and while that gap is likely to close on this better ground, I did just think there could be a little bit of value in Captain Guinness.

Jonbon is the one to beat, but I just fear this third run in quick succession might just take the edge off him.

In the 3m4f Gold Cup (2:15pm), KITTY’S LIGHT sets the standard but it would take a big performance to win this after his Scottish Grand National success in Ayr last weekend. A seven-day turnaround is never easy, especially in these staying races.

Mucho Mas is two from four over fences, and some of his form is stacking up nicely. He was second to Becher Chase winner Bill Baxter back in November and has won his last two starts since. That winning has been done on heavy ground, but he also has form on a better surface, so looks an interesting one each-way.

I was speaking with ‘The Shark’ [John Joseph Hanlon] this week and he was very happy with HEWICK, who goes for the Oaksey Chase (2:50pm) rather than the previous race. He won the Gold Cup at Sandown last season, so we know he enjoys the track. He’s coming back in trip, but this trip wasn’t an issue for him when he won the Galway Plate last summer. He was still involved when he fell at Cheltenham and looks to have a bit in hand of his rivals here, especially getting two pounds from the top two, so he should be tough to beat.

In the Select Hurdle (4:00pm), THYME HILL comes out best on ratings. He was disappointing in the Brown Advisory at the Festival last time, but he showed a return to form in his novice chases earlier this season. This drop back in trip to 2m5f shouldn’t be an issue for him.

Punchestown, Saturday

In the Mares Champion Hurdle (3:50pm), Love Envoi would be the one to beat, but BRANDY LOVE is one of only two horses – along with Honeysuckle – to have beaten Love Envoi in the past. Brandy Love was 10 lengths behind Love Envoi in Cheltenham, but she probably didn’t have the ideal prep for that race. There is potential for improvement on that.

In the Grade B Handicap Chase (4:25pm), I thought CHAMPAGNE GOLD could be one that goes well. He was pulled-up in soft ground in the Plate in Cheltenham, but has some good form prior to that on better ground.

Two years ago The Shunter was only beaten a length off a mark of 143 in the Grade B Handicap Hurdle (5:30pm) and returns in the same race this year off a mark of 140. He’s a horse with lots of ability and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him run well in a competitive handicap.

The one to beat, though, could be AN EPIC SONG for trainer Martin Brassil, who is only two pounds higher than when an eye-catching second in the Coral Cup in Cheltenham.