Barry Geraghty’s William Hill Blog: Time to secure a nice Lump Sum at Kempton

William Hill ambassador Barry Geraghty looks ahead to Saturday’s racing from Kempton, Newcastle and Fairyhouse.

Kempton, Saturday

Kalif Du Berlais would be the one that sets the standard in the Adonis (1:50pm). He was a very impressive winner at Kempton last time, but the runner up has been beaten twice since then. A horse that is of interest to me is Gary Moore’s PEKING OPERA, who was formerly trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Gary’s son Ryan when finishing six lengths behind Vauban on his final start on the Flat. He was also fourth in the Irish Derby last year behind Auguste Rodin. For a horse having his first run over hurdles, he jumped really well last time at Sandown. I just wonder if he got to the front a bit too soon once they were into the straight, as he didn’t do much when he got there. He has the potential to be really smart and he could be the one to make the step forward in what looks a good race, but one that maybe lacks a superstar at this stage.

In the Pendil (2:27pm), I’m drawn to Nicky Henderson’s ARCLIGHT. She’s three from three over fences this season and is only a five-year-old, so is still on the up. With the benefit of the mare’s allowance, I think she could make the step up to the standard that’s needed to win a race like this.

The Dovecote (3:00pm) looks a competitive race, with a lot of runners having form that ties in with the highly-touted Jeriko Du Reponet – Lump Sum was second to him last time at Doncaster, with Fiercely Proud third, while Secret Squirrel finished second to him the time before at Newbury. There might not be much between the three, but I thought LUMP SUM was the one who could possibly improve most from the Doncaster race, as he looked pretty green and raced a little bit in snatches in the straight, so I’d say he will have learned a lot from that. He looks the improver and could be the one to beat.

TWEED SKIRT (3:37pm) is the one I like in the big 3-mile handicap chase. She was a good winner over course and distance at Christmas and last time out was third to Marie’s Rock over hurdles at Doncaster. She made the running that day, which I don’t think suited her and she didn’t quite get home. She looked to settle better over fences at Kempton the time before, so I think there’s improvement in her on that basis.

Newcastle, Saturday

FENLAND TIGER (2:08pm) was a winner at Newcastle last time on heavy ground and is three from four over fences. I thought he looked the most progressive and was the one I liked. There’s possibly value in the runner-up, Prince Des Fichaux, who finished only half-a-length behind Fenland Tiger last time. He ran a good race and kept going well having been prominent early on, so he could be offer some value each way.

Fairyhouse, Saturday

The top two might be the ones that fight out the finish in the Bobbyjo (3:50pm). I AM MAXIMUS has been well beaten behind Galopin Des Champs on his last two starts and there’s no disgrace in that. He was a good winner on his previous two visits to Fairyhouse, in the Grade 1 Drinmore Chase first time up this season and of course the Irish Grand National last spring. He clearly has a liking for Fairyhouse, but he does have to give 12 pounds to Vanillier, who was second in this race last year. Vanillier is being trained with the Grand National in mind though and I think I Am Maximus’ recent form, especially over two-and-a-half miles and his liking for the course sways the verdict in his favour.