Barry Geraghty’s William Hill blog: Two Boys hold winning chances at Warwick

William Hill ambassador Barry Geraghty casts his expert eye over this weekend’s action, including the Veterans’ Handicap Chase from Warwick, the Silviniaco Conti Chase from Kempton, as well as some Graded novice action from Punchestown on Sunday.

Warwick, Saturday

BROADWAY BOY runs in a competitive Hampton Novices’ Chase (2:24pm). I’m a big fan of this horse, and he has heaps of potential. Grey Dawning made a bad mistake jumping the second-last fence at Cheltenham, and I’m not sure if this is a limitation of his. I would’ve expected him to have been better than eventual winner Ginny’s Destiny, and the mistake was only made due to the pressure felt from the rest of the field. Apple Away was impressive at Leicester last time out, but Warwick will be a sharper test and there is a lot more jumping in the last mile. Broadway Boy does have to give weight to his opponents and there is a slight question mark surrounding his preferred trip. However, I think that the soft ground will aid his claims and make this sharp three miles more of a test.

Onto the Classic Chase (3:00pm), where the horse that has been backed into favouritism is Malina Girl. She was travelling really well at Cheltenham last time until she fell three-out. One concern for me is that she’s not a big filly and she’s carrying 12-stone. The one I fancy here is FONTAINE COLLONGES, who was disappointing last season after a win at Haydock. However, she was very impressive last time and has potential, even though she’s a nine-year-old. I would consider Venetia Williams’ horse to be an each-way alternative to the favourite.

The rescheduled Veterans’ Handicap Chase (3:35pm) has been moved here after Sandown was abandoned last weekend. GOOD BOY BOBBY has gone up four pounds for his good win over De Rasher Counter, but he looked to be only going through the motions at Sandown. I think he has a good bit still in the locker. Mill Green is also worth noting, having come third to West Balboa at Aintree, third to Good Time Jonny in the Pertemps, and a good second to Thomas Darby last time at Warwick. Thart’s all very strong form, and definitely makes him worth an each-way mention.

Kempton, Saturday

EDWARDSTONE is my pick for the Silvianaco Conti Chase (2:07pm). It is a very interesting race this year. Banbridge is having his first run back, and I see that there is a few quid for him, but Kempton is a sharp track and there is potential for it to be too sharp. Edwardstone, for me, has been trained for this race and there is potential for him to progress stepping up in trip to two and a half. Realistically, he has the best form in the race on his second in the Tingle Creek. He’s been chasing home Jonbon and Energumene and has been unlucky to run into these horses.

In the Lanzarote (2:42pm), the one I like is NEMEAN LION. He flattened the last two hurdles in the Greatwood but still finished only half a length behind Sonigino. Impose Toi was narrowly beaten by Luccia last time out, who was a couple of lengths further ahead of Nemean Lion at Cheltenham, so a line can be drawn between the two here. There’s probably a little bit more value to be had with Nemean Lion, who is three from six over hurdles. There’s still scope for improvement now he steps up in trip, especially as he had a good level of staying form on the Flat, which included finishing second in a Group 2 at Longchamp over 1m7f.

Wetherby, Saturday

COLONEL HARRY (1:10pm) was second to Le Patron in the Henry VIII. That was a good run and this step up in trip looks as though it could suit him, so he should be hard to beat. The Jamie Snowden yard are flying and I’ve no reason to oppose him.

Punchestown, Sunday

BLOOD DESTINY (1:05pm) is a horse that excites me. He takes on Imagine, who brings a good level of form to the table, but you’d like to see Blood Destiny go on and win this well. He’s a horse with a lot of potential, he jumps a fence really well and I imagine he’ll be staking his claims for something like the Turners come March.

Mystical Power, who is out of Annie Power, is the favourite for the Moscow Flyer (1:35pm). He won well at Galway, but this is his first run back since July. JAGARO beat Butcher Hollow in good style at Navan last month and that horse has since run second to a smart rival in Jade De Grugy at Leopardstown, so that’s a good line of form. I think Mystical Power will have to be better than what we’ve seen to date and he could well be worth opposing with Jagaro.