Barry Geraghty heads to Market Rasen this afternoon to partner Jonjo O’Neill’s Matorico (12.35) for boss JP McManus in the Novices’ Hurdle over two and a quarter miles. The selection disappointed in G1 Juvenile Hurdles at both the Cheltenham and Punchestown festivals but made a winning reappearance under Richard Johnson last month at Huntingdon and should be able to follow-up under a penalty. Philipp Hobbs’ Duke Des Champs made a pleasing debut over hurdles last month at Exeter and is the gelding’s main danger in receipt of 7lb.
Just six go to post for the feature 3m Novices’ Handicap Chase with Donald McCain’s Askamore Darsi respected at the head of the weights under Henry Brooke. The 6-y-o remains a novice over fences despite six runs last term and, although he is well treated from a revised mark of 112, preference lies instead with Red Danaher (1.10) for Sue Smith and Shane Quinlan. The selection looked in need of the run on his debut over fences last time out at Southwell and should strip fitter after the return from an absence of 200 days. The handicapper has eased him 3lb for that pipe-opener and from a revised mark of 112 he must go close.
Stablemate Palm Grey boasts a similar profile and is respected on his seasonal debut however Anthony Honeyball’s The Geegeez Geegee (2.20) landed a gamble in good style last time out at Plumpton and is unopposable from a 5lb higher mark. Conditional Jockey Derek Noonan’s 5lb claim off-sets the rise at the weights and he is a confident selection to give weight and a beating to his five rivals.
There’s action from Leicester where first-time blinkers hopefully unlock the key to The Green Ogre (12.25) in the opening Novices’ Handicap Chase over the minimum trip. Gary Moore‘s 5-y-o has run well on both starts over fences, placing in similar contests at Kempton and Plumpton, and should remain competitive from a pound lower mark.
Henry Oliver’s Take the Crown (1.35) was unfortunate to bump into one last time out at Bangor, finishing second behind Venetia Williams‘ well-backed Uhlan Bute, and can go one better in the 2m Handicap Chase. The drop back in trip combined with a pound lower mark should see him go close under regular partner James Davies.
The drop back in trip isn’t sure to suit See The Rock who needed every inch of two and a quarter miles when beating subsequent winner Final Nudge at Market Rasen and over two miles preference lies instead with Iftiraaq (2.10) under Conor O’Farrell. Seamus Durack’s gelding was useful on the flat and couldn’t have been more impressive when scoring on debut over timber last month over course and distance. Providing he handles the forecast testing conditions he is a confident selection to follow-up under a penalty. .
King‘s Song was very impressive when making a winning debut over fences ten days ago at Ludlow and is another likely to go close under a penalty. The 5-y-o is due to go up 15lb when his mark is re-assessed at the weekend and is respected under Leighton Aspell, however a chance is taken on Troika Steppes (2.45) under Conor Shoemark.
Fergal O’Brien’s gelding hinted at ability in both bumpers and hurdles and was far from disgraced on last month’s debut over fences at Bangor. That should have blown the cobwebs out and it is hoped that a first-time tongue-tie can prove him to be better than his mark of 103 suggests.
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