All positive from Geraghty on Shakira

Ante-post favourite Apple's Shakira should have every chance in the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham, according to jockey Barry Geraghty.

Nicky Henderson's charge is unbeaten in three British starts, most recently scoring by eight lengths in the trial event at Prestbury Park back in January and Geraghty has understandably high hopes.

He told his At The Races blog: "Apple's Shakira should have a good chance in the JCB Triumph Hurdle. She did a piece of work at Kempton on Tuesday, and she went well. She hasn't run since Trials Day at Cheltenham at the end of January, she needed to get away, so that was perfect for her.

"I have liked Apple's Shakira from day one. She is a full-sister to Apple's Jade, so you'd pay close attention to her from the start, but she impressed me since the first day that I schooled her at Nicky's in October. I told Nicky then that I had never known a juvenile to jump as well as she jumped at that stage of her career.

"She has been very good in everything that she has done since. She won well at Cheltenham in November, and she was impressive in winning again at Cheltenham in December and in January.

"It is a competitive year. Redicean was impressive at Kempton on Saturday. It might not have been the strongest of races, but he would strike you as the right type for a Triumph Hurdle, he jumped well, he travelled well and he stayed on well.

"The Irish juveniles look strong too. The first and second from the Spring Hurdle at Leopardstown, Mr Adjudicator and Farclas, are both strong contenders, and Stormy Ireland was very impressive in winning at Fairyhouse in December.

"I wouldn't swap my filly for anything though. She is unbeaten, she is progressive and she is proven at the track. Although all her form is on soft ground, I wouldn't worry about her at all on better ground."