Barry Geraghty
Barry Geraghty’s William Hill blog: Git Maker will like marathon Midlands National trip
William Hill ambassador Barry Geraghty casts his eye over Saturday’s racing from Uttoxeter and Kempton.
Uttoxeter, Saturday
I like FRENCH SHIP in the three-mile handicap hurdle (2:25pm). I thought he found two-miles-five-furlongs too sharp at Kempton and he was in the process of running a good race when stumbling and unseating his rider at the third last at Haydock last time. He was a good winner on soft ground at Newbury at the start of the season, and as a six-year-old, I think he could be open to a bit more progression.
The Midlands National (3:00pm) looks a competitive race and the one for me is GIT MAKER. He wasn’t beaten far in the William Hill Half A Mill Grand National Trial Handicap Chase in Haydock last time and I think the step up to this marathon trip is going to really suit him. That form ties in closely with Deafening Silence, who finished just a length ahead of him in that race. He was pulled up in the Welsh National the time before, but he probably found the ground a bit too good for him there and he lacked the speed to get involved. Back on softer ground over this extended trip should really play to his strengths, as he has proven he has very strong reserves of stamina.
KYKOROCK has been largely competing over two miles this season but now takes a big step up in trip in this three-mile handicap chase (3:35pm). He has been running well, winning twice and finishing third last time out. As a point-to-point winner, he is proven over this trip and I imagine we could see a good bit of improvement now he goes over this more stamina exacting distance.
Kempton, Saturday
Nicky Henderson won this two-mile-five-furlong handicap hurdle (2:40pm) last season and he looks to have a strong chance again with LA PINSONNIERE. She returned from a long absence at Warwick last month and ran a decent race on heavy ground. I think she will improve for that and should benefit from the better going at Kempton. She had some nice place form over this sort of trip last season and everything looks set for a good run at a track where Nicky’s runners often go well.
CALIFET EN VOL is another with a good chance for Nicky in the two-and-a-half-mile handicap chase (3:18pm). He put in a nice performance to win over course and distance last month, beating two rivals that had strong course form to their names so it looked a good effort. It was certainly a step forward on what he has done to date over fences, and I think that better ground at this track really suits him. I’d like to think he can go close again on the back of his last run.
