Barry Geraghty’s William Hill blog: Vango to run unchained up in trip

William Hill ambassador Barry Geraghty looks over Saturday’s racing from Uttoxeter, Kempton and Thurles.

Uttoxeter, Saturday

JOYEUX MACHIN (2:25pm) was a good second to Altobelli at Ascot last time and to me that looks like the strongest form here. I think the step up in trip looks as though it will suit him and could bring about a bit of improvement. He was entered in the Coral Cup on Wednesday at Cheltenham, but connections have opted to come here instead for this valuable hurdle.

The Midlands Grand National (3:00pm) is competitive, but I thought MR VANGO was the one. He has form on softer ground and he’s a really strong stayer. He won well on soft going over three miles and five furlongs at Sandown in December and then I think did well to win when dropped back to three miles at Haydock last time. He’s a relentless galloper and this step up in trip is going to be ideal for him. He has a lot of weight, but I think he’s going to relish this test. I make him good each-way value.

WALK ON QUEST is interesting in the three-mile novices’ handicap chase (3:35pm). He looks progressive after winning nicely last time at Kelso and has only been put up four pounds in the weights for that. He has won at two and two-and-a-half miles and I think stepping back up to three here should suit.

Kempton, Saturday

I like ASTON MARTINI in the two-mile-five-furlong handicap hurdle (2:45pm). His Ascot form from last time is strong, where he just got outpaced but stayed on well to finish second. That suggested his turn could be near.

BAD (3:20pm) finally got his act together over fences last time, when winning impressively by 10 lengths over this course and distance. He had promised to do something like that and I think he can back that up and win again despite being put up nine pounds. He’s still unexposed and he can build on last time.

Thurles, Saturday

There’s Grade 3 (2:30pm) action at Thurles where I think HIGH CLASS HERO can land the spoils. He put in a big performance last time and he also has some high-class form from last season, including when a close second to Dancing City in Grade 1 company at the Punchestown Festival. To me, that sort of form makes him a standout in this field.