Barry Geraghty’s William Hill blog: Onlyamatteroftime before the Willie Mullins show hits Newbury

William Hill ambassador Barry Geraghty looks over the pick of Saturday’s racing from Newbury and Naas as well as Graded action from Navan on Sunday.

Newbury, Saturday

All eyes will be on SHISHKIN in the Denman Chase (2:05pm) but, with all the rain that’s fallen, the ground is coming in Protektorat’s favour. Shishkin has form on soft, but he’s largely unproven on heavy ground at this level and that would be a slight concern. I’d say there’s every chance that Shishkin might not run, but if he lines up, he’s still the one to beat. Protektorat does come into play on heavy ground and there’s more value to be had in his price, so I can see there being less between them in the market come race time.

EDWARDSTONE (2:40pm) was very keen last time when finishing behind Banbridge at Kempton and gave himself no chance that day. If you go back one run before that, he was second to Jonbon in heavy ground in the Tingle Creek and that looks like good Grade 1 form, which to me is the standout form in this contest. He needs emphasis on stamina over two miles, so conditions are going to suit him. I think we saw Boothill’s limitations when he was handed the race after Saint Segal fell at Ascot. Editeur Du Gite won the race Boothill fell in last time out at Kempton and will relish conditions, so he could be the biggest danger to Edwardstone.

The Betfair Hurdle (3:15pm) is ultra-competitive but probably lacks a standout horse. Maybe Ocastle Des Mottes is that horse on his first run for Willie [Mullins] and his first run since June. He has won on very soft ground in France so he will cope with conditions. He’s very interesting and, being owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, they wouldn’t have sent him to Ireland if they didn’t think he was capable of competing at a higher level. He could be the one to beat, but it’s all taken on promise. Altobelli ran a good third last time in Ascot and looked like he would improve for that experience, but ONLYAMATTEROFTIME finished only four lengths behind him, and is a much bigger price than the Harry Fry runner here. He was dropped in towards the rear at Ascot in order to get cover as he has ducked out at his hurdles in the past, and, with that race being slowly run, I don’t think it suited him. I think he’s going to be benefited by the pace of this race. He needs one to come out to get into the race, but if he does, I can see his price shortening dramatically and he could make it an extension of the Willie Mullins show after last weekend at Leopardstown.

Naas, Saturday

In the mares’ Listed chase (3:40pm), Allegorie De Vassy reopposes RIVIERE D’ETEL after finishing second to her last time. She is the favourite, but I don’t see any reason why she should reverse the placings. Riviere D’etel won by 33 lengths last time and will relish these conditions, so she looks to offer far more value at the prices.

Navan, Sunday

Blazing Khal won the Grade 2 William Hill Boyne Hurdle (2:45pm) last year and then ran in the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Festival, but we haven’t seen him since. He’s very interesting, but this is his first run since March and he’s probably going to improve for it. ASHDALE BOB just ran too keen the last day in Gowran, so if he settles better here, I can see him going well and perhaps being the one to beat.

There’s also the Grade 2 William Hill Top Ten Up Novice Chase (3:45pm), where Willie Mullins has a strong hand with Minella Cocooner and NICK ROCKETT. Minella Cocooner opened his account over fences last time when putting in an improved performance over the course and distance, but interestingly Paul Townend has chosen to ride Nick Rockett instead. He won well at Fairyhouse last time, which is form that has been franked since, and there could be more to come now that he steps up to three miles for the first time.