Barry Geraghty’s William Hill blog: Galopin can prove he’s still the Champ

William Hill ambassador Barry Geraghty looks back on the Boxing Day action and gives his best bets at Leopardstown and Limerick on Thursday and Friday.

The King George was a fascinating race. Shishkin looked to be the likely winner before his mishap at the second last. It was a very strange mistake to happen on the second stride after the fence, but he just seemed to lose his footing. He would have gone from 30 plus miles per hour to nearly zero, so Nico [De Boinville] would have had no chance of staying on board. He was in the process of putting up a big performance and that has to put him into the Gold Cup picture. Bravemansgame was hampered by Shishkin and Allaho had his chance, but Hewick stole the show. He wasn’t involved in the early pace battle and that probably helped him finish so strongly. He was outpaced at an early stage, but Gavin [Sheehan] didn’t commit him fully until he was into the straight, and that’s why he finished so well.

Il Est Francais went so quick, jumped brilliantly and, while there was a stage down the back straight were it looked like he might be caught by his pursuers, he managed to quicken again. It was a brilliant performance. At his age, he has the potential to be a superstar.

I thought Constitution Hill looked more professional than ever and seemed to concentrate better at every point through the Christmas Hurdle, showing that he’s grown up a little bit mentally since last season. It’s scary to say it, but there’s potentially improvement to come on what he achieved last year.

Leopardstown, Thursday

The Jack de Bromhead Christmas Hurdle (1:50pm) is the first Grade 1 on the card at Leopardstown. HOME BY THE LEE ran a big race at Navan on reappearance when finishing third behind Bob Olinger. He was giving that rival and second placed Zanahiyr nine pounds, so it was a really good run. He was only beaten three lengths in the Stayers’ Hurdle last season, so he sets the standard and looks the one to beat. Irish Point won a Grade 1 at Aintree last season, but for a five-year-old going three miles for the first time on heavy ground, this is going to be a proper test for him, and it might come too soon. The one that has possibly been overlooked at the prices is Asterion Forlonge.

Everything has turned up for the Savills Chase (2:25pm), and I hope the Gold Cup in March has as strong a field. GALOPIN DES CHAMPS was beaten less than two lengths by Fastorslow at Punchestown on his return and for me he didn’t jump or travel with anything like his usual enthusiasm. With improvement likely, I make him the one to beat. I would still have great respect for Fastorslow, but I think that he might be slightly better going right-handed. Gerry Colombe is a proper stayer and is definitely going to be suited by the heavy ground. However, to me Galopin Des Champs’ Gold Cup form is the strongest of all. One that could be slightly overlooked and is interesting each way is I Am Maximus. He’s an Irish Grand National winner so is a proper stayer, and he has very strong recent form. If there is a horse to upset the top three in the market, I think it could be him.

Limerick, Thursday

Gaelic Warrior will likely be very hard to beat in the Faugheen Novices’ Chase (2:05pm). I think going right-handed is very important for him, as he looked to jump significantly to his right around Punchestown last time. That won’t be an issue around Limerick and he will have ground conditions to suit too. AMERICAN MIKE does also bring a high level of form after beating Fact To File on chase debut. That showed a resemblance of his old form after a disappointing end to his novice hurdle career, so he’s probably been slightly underestimated in the market and is put forward as a value alternative.

Leopardstown, Friday

BALLYBURN (12:35pm) was beaten on his reappearance at Fairyhouse but there should be plenty more to come now and he remains a horse to follow this season.

The one that sneaks in at the bottom of the weights is TELMESOMETHINGGIRL (1:10pm). She was a winner of the Mares’ Novice Hurdle in 2021 and she had some good form over fences last season. She’s top-rated over hurdles and is getting weight from form pick Magical Zoe in the handicap, so she could be the one.

CORBETT’S CROSS (1:45pm) has the potential to be very smart and looks the one to beat. He won cosily from Three Card Brag on his second start over fences at Fairyhouse last time. While was beaten by Grangeclare West on his chase debut, he looked to need that run, and there’s potential for better still to come. Flooring Porter jumped badly left at Punchestown last time, but he will be suited to a return to this left-handed track and I can see him reversing that form with Favori De Champdou.

I can’t imagine it was a straightforward decision for Paul Townend to choose between State Man and IMPAIRE ET PASSE in the Matheson Hurdle (2:20pm). While it would be very hard to get off State Man, who has beaten everything bar Constitution Hill, I think he quite easily could have got it wrong. For Impaire Et Passe to have ran as keenly as he did in the Hatton’s Grace and still only be beaten a length by a very smart horse in Teahupoo, I thought was a massive effort. He has some smart novice hurdle form to his name and he could be one that turns out to be a bit special.