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Sprinter Sacre ridden by Barry Geraghty. John Walton/EMPICS Sport
CheltFest

Cheltenham countdown: Geraghty sweet on Sacre’s chances

“He’s been hugely impressive all year since he has gone chasing and he looks like the one to beat.”

WITH CHELTENHAM ON just days away, Barry Geraghty remains hugely confident of Sprinter Sacre’s chances in the Arkle.

The County Meath man, who has ridden 20 Cheltenham Festival winners in his career, believes the Nicky Henderson-trained six year-old is the horse everyone has to beat in this year’s renewal of the Grade One Event.

“He’s the ride I’m looking forward to most all week,” Geraghty told TheScore this week. “He’s been hugely impressive all year since he has gone chasing and he looks like the one to beat.”

While questions have lingered over his ability to cope with the infamous Cheltenham Hill following his run in last year’s Supreme Novices, Geraghty feels that a year on, Sacre is a much more complete horse.

“He ran a bit keen in last year’s Supreme Novices. If anything, he probably travelled too well. Coming around the home bend, he looked for all the world the one to beat, but it wasn’t to be. This time around, he’s a big strong six year-old with bags of stamina,” he said.

Following his victory over  long-time market rival for the Arkle Peddlers Cross (who has since turned his attentions to the Jewson) by 16 lenghts at Kempton over the Christmas period, the French-bred Sacre remains a best-priced 10/11 with Paddy Power. Geraghty also believes that Sprinter Sacre ranks alongside some of the best he has ridden, including the imperious Moscow Flyer.

“I’d have him right up there,” Geraghty says. “It’s very rare of me to heap praise on horses, but he is definitely in the same category of Moscow (Flyer). He’s a different sort of horse really; he travels really well throughout races. Moscow was keen in his races, whereas this fella will take you everywhere you want to go, he’s very forward going and makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.”

Having had a winner at every Festival since 2002, Geraghty is currently second favourite (7/2) to be crowned top jockey at this year’s Cheltenham Festival. In the blue riband event of the week, Barry takes the mount aboard Burton Port.

“This is a horse that could figure in the shake-up and has very good each-way claims. He’ll definitely improve from his last run at Newbury where he was a close second to Long Run (current market leader). It all depends on how well he can travel, and while it will be very difficult to beat the top two, I’d be hopeful.”

Show time

A horse that has gained some attention in recent weeks since his first run of the season is Riverside Theatre. Currently outright favourite at 9/2 for the Ryanair Chase, Geraghty sees this as a wide open renewal.

“His last run out at Ascot was impressive considering the layoff he had. A lot will go to this with every chance, but I’d be very confident of his chances,” the Meath man says.

Looking towards the opening race of the season, Nicky Henderson’s stable jockey remains undecided at what he will get a leg up on.

“Simonsig holds entries for both this and the Neptune. Since the withdrawal of Fingal Bay, it’d probably be smart to enter him into that. But we will wait to make a decision. If Simonsig doesn’t go in the Supreme Novices then I’ll probably ride Tetlami,” Geraghty said. “He’s a horse that has won on his last three outings so he’ll have a decent shout,” he adds.

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Darragh Farrelly