Barry Geraghty’s William Hill blog: Haydock ground favours Bravemansgame

William Hill ambassador Barry Geraghty runs his eye over this weekend’s big races from Haydock, Ascot and Punchestown.

Haydock, Saturday

Haydock’s opening contest, the Grade 2 Newton Novices’ Hurdle (12:05pm) looks competitive enough and perhaps lacks a standout candidate. Maybe Primoz is the type that could improve to take this. He was very impressive at Ayr and should have plenty more to come.

The 1:15pm is another competitive hurdle. CARNFUNNOCK was a smart bumper horse and had a good season last campaign, winning three of his six starts. He was well beaten at Perth on his final start, but that’s understandable given he had been busy for most of the season. He won his first two starts last season and I can see him returning to form here.

GAILLARD DU MESNIL (1:50pm) is a horse with a lot of good quality form over fences. He has been placed in the Irish and Aintree Grand Nationals and is a Grade 1 winner over fences. He’s always looked a classy individual since he was second to Bob Olinger in the 2021 Ballymore, where he finished ahead of Bravemansgame. Despite his Grade 1 penalty, with all the experience he has, I think he’s the one to beat.

Grey Dawning looks a very smart horse, but Dan Skelton is only operating at a 10 percent strike rate at the moment so there are a few concerns about the stable form. Apple Away has to be mentioned as she did nothing but win last season, including in Grade 1 company at Aintree.

You have to take note of SLATE LANE in the staying hurdle (2:20pm) as he represents the combination of Emmet Mullins and owner Paul Byrne. He’s won his last three hurdles races, last time out at Newton Abbot, when Richie McLernon rode him, and before that at Bangor and Cartmel. These connections have made some very successful raids to England in the past with the likes of The Shunter and that means he is has to be of strong interest. The one I thought could offer a bit of value is Gowel Road. Nigel Twiston-Davies’ horses are in great form and he was a good winner of a chase at Ascot last time out. He also has some good form over hurdles, including when second to Metier at Lingfield last season off a pound higher mark.

The Betfair Chase (3:00pm) has cut up a bit, with only four runners set to stand their ground. Drying conditions at Haydock are definitely going to favour BRAVEMANSGAME and he’s going to be very hard to beat. Protektorat would be his main threat, but there is a question mark over the form of the Skelton horses. I also think he would be better on a bit softer ground. At the moment it’s soft, good-to-soft in places, and that description may well improve come Saturday. The better the ground gets, the stronger you would have to fancy Bravemansgame. It’s unfortunate for Harry Cobden that he has to go to Ascot, but Bravemansgame looks a very straightforward horse, so I can’t imagine Daryl [Jacob] will have any problems.

Ascot, Saturday

There are a couple of interesting unknown quantities in the 2m5½f novices’ hurdle (12:55pm). Excello finished second in a Listed chase at Auteuil last time out and makes his debut for the Nicky Henderson team, while Leader In The Park won his point-to-point by no less than 56 lengths. It will be interesting to see how they both get on.

SHISHKIN (1:30pm) has been very good around Ascot before and beat Energumene in their famous battle in the Clarence House in 2022. He was disappointing in the Ryanair in March but he bounced back to win the Mildmay at Cheltenham. He actually beat Pic D’Orhy by 16 lengths in the Ascot Chase last season, and I don’t see any reason why Paul Nicholls’ horse should turn that around. Nicky’s [Henderson] horses seem to be in form and I would expect Shishkin to be ready for this. And the fact he wears cheekpieces for the first time on his reappearance is an indication that he is pretty close to full fitness.

GOSHEN won the Grade 2 hurdle (2:05pm) last year and while you have to say he’s been pretty disappointing since, a return to that form would make him hard to beat. He ran well on his reappearance last year, but you do have to take quite a bit on trust. Strong Leader is a horse that has promised a lot and is one who could run well if you excuse his poor appearance at Ffos Las. I’d be keen to give him another chance and he can outrun his odds.

BOOTHILL (3:15pm) has gone up six pounds for his win last time over course and distance, which doesn’t look too harsh as he won impressively then. I think he could go in again here. Triple Trade won at Cheltenham, but that was only eight days ago.

Punchestown, Saturday

GAELIC WARRIOR starts out over fences (12:48pm). He’s a big horse with any amount of scope, so should have a lot of potential over fences.

The form of FLOORING PORTER’s (1:23pm) chase debut at Cheltenham was given a boost when Broadway Boy won impressively last weekend. The only negative for Flooring Porter is that he does all of his racing going lefthanded, so it’s a concern that he races the other way at Punchestown. He did jump straight at Cheltenham last time though, and that is the strongest level of form. Affordable Fury narrowly beat Favori De Champdou at Galway and there shouldn’t be much between them again.

STATE MAN should win the Morgiana (2:35pm). The others have a good bit to find, but Pied Piper ran a good race when runner-up in the Cesarewitch on the Flat last time and might be the one to chase him home.

Punchestown, Sunday

GALOPIN DES CHAMPS makes his reappearance in the John Durkan (2:30pm) and will be very hard to beat. Fastorslow was a long way behind Galopin Des Champs in this race last year and I think he could be better over further. At a fancy price, Stattler might outrun his odds, if he turns up. He has form over two-and-a-half and three miles and was second to Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown last year.