CHELTENHAM COUNTDOWN:BARRY GERAGHTY is rated by bookmakers to be Ruby Walsh's biggest threat in the race to become leading jockey at the Cheltenham Festival, but it is unclear if the Champion Chase contender, Big Zeb, will be among Geraghty's enviable catalogue of rides.
The former champion jockey has yet to get clearance from his main employer, Nicky Henderson, to team up with Big Zeb at the festival, as the trainer still has the option of running Petit Robin in the two-mile championship.
However, Geraghty did school Big Zeb on Tuesday, and trainer Colm Murphy is anxiously awaiting news on the rider’s availability. “I’m hoping to know Thursday what’s happening. I haven’t even thought about having to look for anyone else. We’re just hoping Barry will be able to ride,” Murphy said. “The horse is in very, very good shape.”
Geraghty could also get the leg up on Murphy’s other festival hope, Voler La Vedette, who is second favourite to Quevega in the David Nicholson Mares Hurdle at the end of the first day.
Paddy Power rate Walsh a 1 to 2 favourite to retain his leading rider crown at the festival, with Geraghty a 100 to 30 next best, clear of Tony McCoy on 6 to 1.
The defection of Mille Chief from the Triumph Hurdle has propelled Alaivan to the top of the betting for the four-year-old championship, despite having been beaten by Carlito Brigante at Leopardstown over Christmas.
They are due to clash again at Cheltenham, but Alaivan has won at Fairyhouse since, and his trainer, Edward O’Grady, said yesterday: “Things didn’t go right at Christmas, but we like to think we learned from that race. We rode him a bit differently at Fairyhouse and he was able to run like the horse we think he is.”
O’Grady didn’t rule out Jumbo Rio from a tilt at the Champion Hurdle, but the Tipperary trainer also said the Grade One winner is a possible starter in the hugely valuable Nakayama Grand Jump in Japan on April 17th.
The race, run over an extended two-and-a-half miles, is worth almost €700,000 to the winner.
Jumbo Rio was third to Solwhit at Leopardstown over Christmas, and O’Grady said: “He wasn’t 101 per cent at Christmas, and if he’s three or four lengths off Solwhit on that form he would deserve to take his chance (in the Champion).”
Jumbo Rio also has a number of handicap entries at Cheltenham, but the Ryanair remains Tranquil Sea’s target after an encouraging Grade Two victory over two miles at Leopardstown last Sunday.
Tranquil Sea is a 5 to 1 second favourite for the Ryanair, behind Poquelin, whom he beat in November’s Paddy Power Gold Cup.
O’Grady said: “On that day Poquelin came from a long way back at the top of the hill. The trainer (Paul Nicholls) said he felt if the ground was better he thought he would have won. Paul’s record is exemplary around there with Ruby, but I don’t think it is between the two. Barbers Shop has a big chance too.”
Mouse Morris could have up to four runners at the festival, led by former Gold Cup hero War Of Attrition who, four years after his finest hour, is on course to return for the World Hurdle. Morris could also be represented by China Rock in the Jewson, The Hurl in the Albert Bartlett and Tinakellylad in the four-mile National Hunt Chase.
