Geraghty talks Cheltenham to Paddy Powers

Last year’s Cheltenham top jockey, Barry Geraghty was interviewed by Paddy Powers on Tuesday with the conversation broadcast live in their shops throughout the country.

Geraghty gave his view on many of the races at this year’s Festival and also selected his bet of the meeting as well as giving four horses for a Lucky 15.

On the Supreme Novices Hurdle he said: “I’m not confident of getting the better of the top three here. In a normal year Jezki would be banker material, there is great depth in his form.”

On the Arkle: “Simonsig is an unbelievable horse to work. He could win a listed race on the flat.”

On the Champion Hurdle: “The jury is out on Hurricane Fly, I think he’s beatable. The course will suit Grandouet but I’d have a lot of respect for Rock On Ruby.”

On the Mares Hurdle: “Une Artiste is suited by step up in trip and ground and she could be the best Quevega has come up against but Quevega is very hard to beat.”

On the Neptune Investment Novices Hurdle: “Pont Alexandre is as close to a nap at the Festival as you will get, he looks like a Denman in the making, but if you were to look for value, Puffin Billy is a good option.”

On the RSA Chase: “Dynaste is likely to run here but wherever he goes he will run a huge race. He is the real deal, near impossible to beat. I would love to ride him, he could be the English banker. Hadrians Approach has a chance and is working well.”

On the Queen Mother: “Sprinter Sacre is better this year than last. He has speed, jumps, stays; he loves fences more than hurdles. At the moment he is in a league of his own, he has everything!!”

On the Fred Winter: “Megalypos could be the one for this. He has progressed well and he is a good each-way bet.”

On the Champion Bumper: “Blackmail is a lovely horse, a good ride to get. It’s a wide open race but I think he has a rock solid chance.”

On the Jewson Novices Chase: “I like Captain Conan and he is most likely to run in this race. He didn’t travel or jump at Sandown but I expect him to improve; he’s working well and the distance is perfect for him.”

On the Ryanair Chase: “Riverside Theatre has been a forgotten horse, he’s doing everything right at home and has a chance. Sizing Europe could be the biggest danger due to his form. Cue Card’s form is not as good as Sizing Europe’s.”

On the Ladbrokes World Hurdle: “Oscar Whisky is my bet of the Festival. Solwhit is the main danger, I see him as the dark horse.”

On the Triumph Hurdle: “This race has been good to me. I think I have a very good ride in Rolling Star but it’s the best Triumph in years, Far West and Our Conor are the biggest dangers.”

On the Albert Bartlett: “This is a very hot race. Utopie des Bordes stays really well and should appreciate better ground; the mares allowance is massive in this race. At Fisher Cross is the one to beat though, he has course form and jumps really well.”

On the Gold Cup: “Bobs Worth is in great shape and working very well. I told Nicky I need him fitter than the Hennessy and he says he is. The Gold Cup was always the main target and he is ready; he’s a worthy favourite. Sir Des Champs is not strong enough, Silvianico Conti is a danger.”

Geraghty’s bet of the Festival is Oscar Whisky in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle while his Lucky 15 is Sam Winner in the Pertemps Hurdle, Anquetta in the Grand Annual, Megalypos in the Fred Winter and Cotton Mill in the County Hurdle or Coral Cup.