Barry Geraghty’s William Hill blog: North Shore looks ready to improve

William Hill ambassador Barry Geraghty previews the second day of the William Hill Showcase Meeting from Cheltenham on Saturday, as well as four William Hill-sponsored contests at Aintree on Sunday.

Cheltenham, Saturday

ROCKONLIAM has won his last three starts and is two from two over fences, so he looks to hold strong claims in Saturday’s opener (1:10pm). He looks a typical Henry de Bromhead horse in that he has taken a good step forward since being sent over fences. He’s been really impressive in his two chase wins at Wexford, and it looks like he should have further improvement to come. It’s an open race with the Twiston-Davies’ Spectacularsunrise looking to hold a chance, but I’m happy to side with Rockonliam.

There isn’t a lot between the top three in the William Hill Extra Places Every Day Novices’ Hurdle (1:45pm). I thought KASHCHEI looks progressive, and Cian Collins is a shrewd operator. He won the Grand Annual with Jazzy Matty in 2025 and he’s a good target trainer. Kashchei won a novice hurdle at Downpatrick in September and then was a good second at Clonmel last time. I think he could still be progressing.

SEANIECON was only beaten just over three lengths in a big handicap hurdle at the Punchestown Festival. He’s only had five runs over hurdles but that is a good level of form, and a reproduction of it would see him go close in this three-mile contest (2:20pm). Jonjo and AJ O’Neill have had a good start to the season, with a nice winner at Chepstow, so their horses are in form.

In the William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Chase (2:55pm), I think HERE COMES GEORGIE looks interesting on his first run for the Skeltons. He has some good form from a few seasons ago, and the fact that his new yard is bringing him to Cheltenham would suggest that he is the right type for this race. They generally improve horses from other yards, and it looks like Harry [Skelton] has chosen him over the yard’s other runner, Diamond Dealer.

NORTH SHORE would be my pick in the two-mile handicap hurdle (3:30pm). He has plenty of strong form from last season, including when finishing an 11-length third to Narciso Has in a Grade 2 at Leopardstown last Christmas. He also finished fourth behind the same rival in Grade 1 company at the Dublin Racing Festival. Selma De Vary and Mange Tout, who finished ahead of him in second and third, have both come out and won Grade 1s since, so that’s excellent form. He finished fourth on his reappearance, and first run for the Skeltons, at Chepstow. It looked like he got a bit tired there, and he ran like a horse that should improve for that outing.

In the William Hill Price Boosts “Chasing Excellence” Novices’ Chase (4:05pm), DERRYHASSEN PADDY looks a type who should go well. He’s been off the track a good while, since making his chase debut at Ayr in November last season. He chased home Sixmilebridge there, which is good form. Over hurdles, he finished third in the 2025 Albert Bartlett behind Jasmin De Vaux, so he does have the best form on offer. This is his first run back after nearly a year off, but the fact that Lucinda [Russell] and Michael [Scudamore] are bringing him to Cheltenham for his first run after so long, suggests that he is on his A-game.

Aintree, Sunday

In the first William Hill-sponsored race from Aintree, I like KADASTRAL, who had some very good form in bumpers a couple of seasons ago. Last season he was twice well beaten by Sober Glory, which isn’t a disgrace considering the level of form that horse went on to show, but Dan [Skelton] mentioned that Kadastral is a big horse and that he was keen to mind him. He was lightly raced last season and I think a mark of 125 could be very interesting for a horse that is well regarded.

Only five are set to line up for the William Hill Vieux Lion Rouge Veterans’ Handicap Chase (2:25pm), but it’s a competitive heat. HOLD YOUR FORT was a good second at Ffos Las on his first run of the season, and a winner at Uttoxeter in the summer. He won at Ascot last season as well, and a mark of 130 doesn’t look to overburden him, especially with Shane Fenelon taking five pounds off his back.

BLUEY is the one for me in the Grade 2 William Hill Old Roan Limited Handicap Chase (3:00pm). She is coming from mares’ races, but she seemed to hold her form well last season – winning three times and placing twice from six starts – and could be ready for this step up into open company. She won first time out last season and has proved she handles a range of ground, so she won’t mind if conditions become testing.

HILLBERRY HILL comes into the William Hill Price Boosts Every Day Handicap Hurdle (3:30pm) completely unexposed after winning two of his three starts to date. He won in a canter on his last start in March, which was his first run for the yard, having previously won a maiden hurdle for Mags Mullins in Ireland. He’s gone up eight pounds for his win last time, but given the ease of that success, off a mark of 122 he could still be a blot on the handicap.