Barry Geraghty’s William Hill blog: One last hurrah for Champ?

Ascot

Paul Nicholls is in fine form, and I’d expect his WRAPPEDUPINMAY to take out the opening novice contest (12:40pm). He ran into one last time at Exeter in Deafening Silence, who has come out and won a Grade 2 at Sandownconvincingly, so the form looks very solid. Off a mark of 118, he looks well treated on that form and I’d expect him to take plenty of beating here.

SOLO in the Graduation Chase (1:15pm) will be very hard to beat. You can make a case for the two in opposition,however his second in the Haldon Gold Cup is by far the strongest level of form in this race. He won’t be a big price but I would be surprised if he was turned over here.

The market probably has it about right with TRIPLE TRADE in the handicap chase (1.50pm). He was a good winner at Cheltenham then ran only eight days later in Ascot, so to finish third that day was a good run considering the quick turnaround. I think with a little bit more time between races, he could fare much better.

The Long Walk Hurdle (2:25pm) is very competitive this year. For me it is between the two old timers. My old friend CHAMP, who obviously has a great record fresh including when winning this race two years ago, and PAISLEY PARK.

There is very little between them. Champ’s course form is key, and we know he stays really well, while Paisley Park ran a brilliant race behind Dashel Drasher at Newbury and he’s likely to improve for that. I find it very tricky to split them and it might simply be a case of backing the one that is a bigger price on the day!

It’s also worth giving Blueking D’Oroux a mention. He’s a gorgeous up-and-coming four-year-old, who I think will win a lot of races. It won’t be easy against these established hurdlers, though, and it might just be a bit too soon for the PaulNicholls runner.

In the Silver Cup (3:00pm) there are couple that I like. VICTORINO, for the in-form Venetia Williams yard, must go well. He put in a good performance at Ascot in a competitive race against Two For Gold last time and I expect he’ll improve again given the fact he’s just a five-year-old. His jumping can still get better but he’s definitely a horse on the up.

The danger would be GIT MAKER. He jumps brilliantly and he seems to have improved since stepping up in trip. He’s another progressive type and Gavin Sheehan seems to be having a big Saturday winner every week at the moment!

IBERICO LORD Is the one to beat in the Betfair Exchange Trophy (3:35pm) according to form. He won the Greatwood at Cheltenham really nicely last time and it looks like there is potential for more improvement. He’s up in the weights but that might not stop him and he’s the one to beat.

It’s worth noting that Nicky [Henderson] clearly hasn’t given up on Luccia. He could have run her in a lesser race, but the fact he pitches her in here might be significant. She’s very talented on her day.

Haydock 

Up at Haydock, it’s going to be very testing ground.

I thought it was noteworthy that James Bowen was up there instead of riding at Ascot and it would suggest PAWAPURI has a very strong chance in the Listed mares’ novices’ hurdle (12.55pm). She’s a horse that used to be with William Haggas and was pretty highly rated on the Flat too. It was hard not to be impressed by her at Wincanton last time and she should prove hard to beat.