Barry Geraghty

Barry Geraghty’s Cheltenham Festival blog: Gaelic Warrior can strike Gold

2 hours ago

| BY Barry Geraghty

William Hill ambassador previews Gold Cup Day from the Cheltenham Festival.

Cheltenham, Friday

Triumph Hurdle – 1:20pm

It’s good to see Paul Townend booked to ride SELMA DE VARY. She ran a great race at Leopardstown on her first start for Willie Mullins at the DRF, finishing second to stablemate Narciso Has, who was a strong favourite for this race before he was withdrawn. Willie has only had her a few months and she should be open to improvement on her last run. This is always a tricky race, with a lot of dark horses in here, but on the basis of her run last time, she would be the one for me.

William Hill County Handicap Hurdle – 2:00pm

KARBAU caught the eye when finishing second in a Grade Three in Naas last time. That was his first run back after finishing a good third to Irancy at the Punchestown Festival last season. His last run came on soft ground and with a lot of rain forecast on Thursday evening, conditions could be similar on Friday. Keeping an eye on the ground is going to crucial, and I think any softening in conditions would suit this six-year-old. I think he can build on his Naas run here.

Mares’ Chase – 2:40pm

DINOBLUE looks a very solid favourite as she has form in open Grade 1 company. She finished a close third to Banbridge in the Grade 1 William Hill Champion Chase at the Punchestown Festival two years ago, and that is serious form in the context of this race. She’s so consistent too, having only been beaten once in her last six starts and that came on reappearance this season, when runner-up to Found A Fifty in an open Grade 2. It looks a quality field this year, but with her level of ability and form in Graded races, she stands out.

Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle – 3:20pm

I’m not going to desert DOCTOR STEINBERG here. He doesn’t excite everyone, but he has done nothing wrong and I think he is solid. It was a good performance at Leopardstown last time, especially having pulled so hard to finish as strongly as he did. I’d imagine there will be more pace in this race and that should allow Paul [Townend] to get him cover and get him relaxed. He really impressed me last time and looked such a strong stayer, which is crucial in this race.

Cheltenham Gold Cup – 4:00pm

This year’s Gold Cup looks a wide-open race, and you could make a case for so many. With two-time winner Galopin Des Champs out of the contest, I’ve done a bit of a U-turn and come down on GAELIC WARRIOR, as he now has the benefit of Paul Townend, who has won four Gold Cups to date, in the saddle. It was a brave run from him last time when finishing behind Fact To File in the Irish Gold Cup, having been so keen. I think he’ll settle better for Paul here, and if that’s the case, he could be the one to beat. He wasn’t stopping last time at Leopardstown, despite pulling as hard as he did, so I don’t think this extra distance will trouble him.

Jango Baie and The Jukebox Man would be the two main dangers for me. You have to take plenty on trust with last year’s winner Inothewayurthinkin given the season he’s had, but he has the ability to run a big race.

Princess Royal Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase – 4:40pm

There’s a rematch between last year’s first and second in this race, Wonderwall and ITS ON THE LINE. I think Its On The Line looks to be coming of age as a nine-year-old and there are some very good vibes on his wellbeing. He’s a difficult ride as he often races lazily, so Derek O’Connor is likely to be pushing from some way out, but if he is in form then he should go close again. He’s got some very solid course form and while there may not be a lot between him and Wonderwall, the rain that is due to fall is possibly more in his favour and I think that could help him reverse last year’s form.

Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle – 5:20pm

KEL HISTOIRE brings some good form into the Festival finale. He was second in the Grade 2 Moscow Flyer last season, and while he has struggled a little in three runs since, a return to that level would make him a big player. He finished fifth in the Grade 3 Red Mills Hurdle at Gowran Park last time out on what was only his second run since Cheltenham last year. He was probably a bit out of his depth there, but he’ll be happier back in a handicap and there could be improvement to come as he’s only had five career starts. Michael Kenneally takes the mount and he’s a very accomplished rider, so that’s a positive too.