‘It’s going to be a struggle’ – Barry Geraghty sounds alarm over huge Cheltenham Festival favourite
LEGENDARY jockey Barry Geraghty has poured cold water on the chances of a big Cheltenham Festival favourite.
Willie Mullins’ Allegorie De Vassy is the market leader for the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase.
PABarry Geraghty has questioned Allegorie De Vassy’s jumping[/caption]
But the classy six-year-old has been far from impressive with her jumping over fences so far.
She was sent off as the 1-8 favourite in a Grade 2 at Thurles last weekend and made several mistakes.
Jockey Paul Townend somehow managed to cling on when she made a terrible blunder at the very first fence, but she kept her feet and went on to win comfortably.
Geraghty, who rode 43 Festival winners during his glittering career, reckons her habit of jumping out to the right will hinder her in a strongly-run race at the Festival.
OFFERS OF THE DAY
William Hill: Bet £10 Get £40 in free bets – CLAIM HERE
Betfair: Bet £10 Get £30 – CLAIM HERE
Paddy Power: £5 in Free Bets when you place a £10 bet on Horse Racing – CLAIM HERE
Sky Bet: Bet £10 on Racing and get £30 in free bets – CLAIM HERE
Ladbrokes: Bet £5 Get £20 – CLAIM HERE
Coral: Bet £5 Get £20 – CLAIM HERE
William Hill: 18+. Play Safe. When you sign-up via Mobile using promo code P40 and place a bet of £10/€10 or more we will give you 4x £10/€10 free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 30 days after the qualifying bet is placed, payment method/player/country restrictions apply. Virtual markets excluded. #ad begambleaware.org
Betfair – Place a min £10 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £30 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly 18+ begambleaware.org
Paddy Power: Applies to £10+ singles placed on any Horse racing market, min odds 1/2 (1.5). £5 Free bet will be awarded after qualifying bet settlement, valid for 30 days. Opt-In Required. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly. 18+ Begambleaware.org
Sky Bet: New customers only. First single & e/w bet only odds of 1/1 or greater. 3 x £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets only redeemable on horse racing. Free bets are non withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions and further t&cs apply.
Ladbrokes: 18+ New UK+IRE Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £/€5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 4x £/€5 free bets. Free bets available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Coral: Eligible UK+IRE players. Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cash-out, restrictions & T&Cs apply. 18+ T&Cs Apply. Begambleaware.org
He told the Off The Fence podcast: “She is a brilliant mare and does have scope but her technique needs a bit of work.
“Willie mentioned that with the frost they haven’t been able to give her a pop at home so a lot of that will be practice.
“Paul won’t have had a tight hold of her head and he wanted to get her to relax but being so relaxed might have just left her in two minds and she guessed at the first.
“Going out to her right isn’t going to be a help, especially against more experienced opposition.
“Scarlet And Dove has 15 runs over fences so you can imagine her breathing down her neck, applying pressure, and Elimay the same thing.
“It’s going to be a struggle for her out in front and I’m sure they’d be happy to take a lead and ride her like a novice.”
Since her sketchy performance at Thurles, punters have begun siding with the second favourite Impervious.
Colm Murphy’s mare is now challenging her big rival for favouritism and is only marginally behind in the betting at 15-8.
FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
Never chases their losses
Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
