Barry Geraghty
Barry Geraghty’s William Hill blog: Marine Nationale can retain Punchestown crown
William Hill ambassador Barry Geraghty previews the first day of the Punchestown Festival, including the feature Grade 1 William Hill Champion Chase.
Punchestown, Tuesday
In a competitive two-and-a-half-mile Series Final Handicap Hurdle (3:05pm), the one I like is POWERFUL. He was a good winner over two-miles-five-furlongs in Punchestown back in January and then ran in a really competitive two-mile handicap at Fairyhouse over Easter. He was beaten 16 lengths there, but that was a quality race and I think stepping down in company and up in trip should see him involved. He has form on better ground from last summer, so I think he will appreciate conditions too.
KALIX DELABARRIERE looks of interest in the Listed two-mile handicap hurdle (3:40pm). He was a really impressive winner of a valuable handicap in Fairyhouse at Easter and has gone up nine pounds for it, but I think he could defy his penalty. Paul Townend looks to have chosen to ride Murcia, but I think there could be more to come from Kalix Delabarriere with Sean Cleary-Farrell retaining the ride.
El Cairos is the likely favourite for the Grade 1 Champion Novice Hurdle (4:15pm) and probably the one to beat, but I think there could be value to be had with LE LABO. He was going to be an impressive winner of his maiden at Cork but he fell at the last, leaving the way clear for Kazansky to win. Kazansky has franked that form by winning and running really well since then. Last time Le Labo came from well off the pace to win a Grade 3 novice hurdle at Naas, beating Blake, who is a horse with some good form. I thought that was a strong performance on what was the first time he had completed in his three starts over hurdles. He could build on that now and looks value against the favourite.
In the Grade 1 Champion Novice Chase (5:25pm), KITZBUHEL should be very hard to beat if he reproduces his Cheltenham Brown Advisory form. Arguably he’s better on a right-handed track as he jumps to his right. Harry Cobden was brilliant on him at Cheltenham, when not letting Paul Townend up his inside until late on, despite him jumping right-handed. He put in a brilliant performance in Kempton back in December, so I think a return to going right-handed will be an advantage to him. I think he stands out from the rest here, and on his Cheltenham and Kempton form, he should take a bit of beating.
The feature race on day one of Punchestown is the Grade 1 William Hill Champion Chase (6:05pm). Il Etait Temps put in a brilliant performance to win the Champion Chase at Cheltenham. Majborough went a strong gallop from the front that day to try to make it a test of stamina and after he lost his jumping rhythm there was a bit of pace collapse. Il Etait Temps was given a brilliant, patient ride by Paul Townend, and really benefited from that, but I’m not sure this race will be run at such a high tempo. Last year’s winner MARINE NATIONALE might be the one they have to beat. He put in a big performance in Leopardstown over Christmas when just beaten by Solness, despite making a bad mistake early in the race and losing 10 or so lengths in the process. To get back going and finish a close second, with Majborough in behind him, was an excellent performance. Better ground is ideal for him, and he would be the pick for me.
