Barry Geraghty’s William Hill blog: L’Homme Presse can make perfect return

William Hill ambassador Barry Geraghty gives his best bets at Lingfield and Thurles on a competitive day of Sunday racing.

Lingfield, Sunday

The Lightning Novices’ Chase (1:15pm) is a very competitive Grade 2. On first impression, there’s very little between Djelo and Master Chewy. When they met at Aintree, back in November, there was only three parts of a length between them, and Master Chewy was giving three pounds that day and they have both won since. However, the horse I am interested in here is JPR ONE, who was a little bit disappointing on heavy ground in the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase. I think a return to better ground is a massive positive, he travelled really well at Cheltenham when he unfortunately unseated his rider at the last, when looking like a likely winner. He moved like a horse that will appreciate better ground and Lingfield is giving good-to-soft as a going description, which is positive. He is also getting five pounds from the top two, which is another positive.

SAINT SEGAL (1:50pm) returns after looking home for all money until falling at the last, back in November. He had Boothill beaten there, and that’s a very good level of form. Triple Trade was also back in third that day and has come back and won since – solidifying the form. I’d like to think if all goes well Saint Segal wins this.

Then there is very competitive and open handicap hurdle (2:25pm). NURSE SUSAN made a good step-up last time at Cheltenham. She looks a progressive type, she was only beaten 4½ lengths by Love Envoi two seasons ago at Cheltenham Festival, showing a high level of form there, alongside her good performance last time. Now stepping out of mare’s company, she’s the one for me.

Next up is the Fleur De Lys Chase (3:00pm) which is a very valuable race. It looks the perfect starting race for L’HOMME PRESSE, who was still competitive in the King George last year when unseating at the last. Also, he did jump a little bit left around Kempton, which won’t be at issue at Lingfield on Sunday. For me, most importantly he won the Scilly Isles over two and half on good-to-soft, so this trip should be fine for him. I can’t say that I have the same faith in Protektorat, for me he relishes 3 miles and more so the step back down in trip won’t suit him as well as L’Homme Presse. Venetia’s horses are also usually well-tuned for their first run back, and he has won when fresh before.

In the Surrey National (3:35pm), ANIMAL might be the one, having shown good form to beat My Silver Lining at Sandown two starts ago. My Silver Lining went onto win the Classic Handicap at Warwick last weekend, so that definitely looks strong form. The other one that is worth noting is Hold That Taught of Venetia’s [Williams], who was a good winner last time out.

Thurles, Sunday

SILENT APPROACH (1:05pm) in the Mares’ Novice Chase had Hauturiere 6¼ lengths behind her in Cork in December and Hauturiere has gone on to win well since then. Silent Approach ran a good third behind Spillane’s Tower and only three lengths behind Blood Destiny last week, so that was a brilliant effort. The only downside to that is that it was seven days ago so it’s a short time to recover. However, she brings the strongest form into the race.

There’s no doubt that this is a step down for ALLAHO (1:35pm) in this Grade 2 Chase after his Boxing Day place behind Hewick in the King George. This step back in trip won’t be an issue and he should be hard to beat. On the formbook Envoi Allen is the biggest danger, having chased Gerri Colombe home last time.