Barry Geraghty’s William Hill blog: Improving Saint can do you Proud

William Hill Ambassador Barry Geraghty runs his eye over the pick of Saturday’s racing from Wetherby, Ascot and Down Royal.

Down Royal, Saturday

Gerri Colombe won the Grade 1 Down Royal Champion Chase (2:40pm) last year, but he only had ENVOI ALLEN a neck behind him. It was soft ground last year, and I think the better ground this time around will play more to the strengths of Envoi Allen than Gerri Colombe. Pace wise, there doesn’t look to be a front runner in here and that could also slightly favour Henry de Bromhead’s runner, with fellow contender Hewick at his best when coming off a strong pace as he showed in the King George. While I know Envoi Allen is 10, rising 11 now, he ran well on all four starts last season, including when second in the Ryanair, and I think he could be the play against the favourite.

FOUND A FIFTY should be hard to beat in the Grade 2 chase (3:20pm). He was a Grade 1 winner last season and finished second to Gaelic Warrior in the Arkle, so he has some serious form. He’s a very smart horse and despite conceding weight all round he should prove to be superior to these rivals.

Wetherby, Saturday

LUCCIA finished second to You Wear It Well in this race (1:50pm) last year. That was run on soft ground, which probably wasn’t ideal for her on her reappearance. She went on from there to win a good handicap at Ascot and then finish third in the Champion Hurdle, which was a great effort. Better ground will help her, and the others have a good deal to find on ratings, so she should be tough to beat.

The Grade 2 West Yorkshire Hurdle (2:22pm) looks a tricky enough race, but I don’t think it’s a vintage renewal. Dashel Drasher is a great campaigner and sets the standard, but he’s been around for years and is an 11-year-old now. The one I like is KATEIRA, who was a good winner at Aintree on her last start and could have more improvement to come. She gets all the allowances here and taking those into account she’s actually joint top-rated. With the form that the Skeltons are in at the moment, she looks set to go well.

BRAVEMANSGAME needed the run when losing out in the Charlie Hall (2:58pm) last year and once again that would be the slight question mark about Paul Nicholls’ horse. However, he’s had a racecourse gallop this time around and you’d like to think that he’ll be more prepared this year. I was trying to make a case for Conflated but he unseated at the first on his reappearance when he probably would have benefited from a run, so that put me off him. I fully respect Grey Dawning, and the trip and track should suit him, but on his best he still has a bit to find with Bravemansgame. It all depends how ready Bravemansgame is, and if he’s fit then he should be hard to beat.

Ascot, Saturday

SAINT SEGAL finished third in the competitive Byrne Group Handicap Chase (2:05pm) last season and then was on the way to beating a smart rival in Boothill when he fell at the final fence on his next start. He kept good company last season and held his form well. Jane Williams’ horse has the benefit of a run already under his belt, after finishing a promising fourth at Chepstow. He’s only a six-year-old and doesn’t look badly handicapped either.

In the two-mile handicap hurdle (3:15pm) it could be worth siding with FIERCELY PROUD. He was well thought of last season, and had some good form despite disappointing on his last run at Sandown. He’s a fine, big horse who should have improved for his summer break. Well-backed when getting loose and being withdrawn at Cheltenham last week, he could make amends here.

Chianti Classico is the one to beat on the book in the three-mile handicap chase (3:45pm), but he does have a lot of weight to carry. The one I came down on was HIGHSTAKESPLAYER, who is four from five over fences and I thought could offer a bit of value. Apart from pulling up in the Greatwood Gold Cup in bad ground at Newbury he is unbeaten. With conditions more suitable here and further improvement likely, he could go well.