Racing

Geraghty feels Gold Cup going will influence Bobs Worth

Last year’s winner is one of 36 entries for Cheltenham’s blue riband event

Jockey Barry Geraghty and Bobs Worth in the winner’s enclosure at Leopardstown after victory in the recent Lexus Steeplechase. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho
Jockey Barry Geraghty and Bobs Worth in the winner’s enclosure at Leopardstown after victory in the recent Lexus Steeplechase. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho
Thu Jan 09 2014 - 01:00

Jockey Barry Geraghty believes the state of the going on Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup day will have a big bearing on whether Bobs Worth can retain his crown on March 14th.

Last year’s winner got his season back on track when he showed a devastating turn of foot to win the Lexus at Leopardstown over Christmas after a lifeless reappearance in the Betfair Chase at Haydock.

Despite winning last March, Geraghty felt that ground was as soft as Nicky Henderson’s charge would have liked and is hoping for slightly quicker conditions this time around.

“The Lexus was a top-class race with all the form horses there, so it was a really good race,” Geraghty told Betfred TV.

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“It was a good performance. He picked up well going to the last and quickened really well off the back of it. I think the ground in the Gold Cup was on the softer side for him. He was very much workmanlike in the Gold Cup, whereas in Leopardstown he showed his pace.

"I'd imagine it's straight to the Gold Cup. There's the Argento at Cheltenham in a few weeks but the ground is likely to be very soft and there aren't many options for horses like him. He's better with space between his races as he does take a while to recover as he takes a lot out of himself. I'd be very hopeful (he can win again). The ground will be a big factor on the day. The better the ground, the better for him."

One of 36 entries
Bobs Worth is one of 36 entries for the Gold Cup along with stablemates Long Run, the 2011 winner, and Hennessy hero Triolo D'Alene. Paul Nicholls looks set to pose the biggest threat to Bobs Worth with King George winner Silviniaco Conti, who was travelling well last year before falling three fences from home.

Having finished third in the Betfair Chase at Haydock behind Cue Card, he then outstayed Colin Tizzard’s stable star at Kempton on St Stephen’s Day. The two could clash again, although Cue Card is also likely to have other options at the Festival. Nicholls could also run Al Ferof, third in the King George, Unioniste, Rocky Creek and Tidal Bay.

First Lieutenant is a horse who comes to life in the spring and he has run well at the last three Festivals, including when behind Cue Card in the Ryanair last year. Having returned to his best in the Lexus, when second to Bobs Worth, he may step up in trip for the Gold Cup this year for trainer Mouse Morris.