2020 Cheltenham Festival tips – Barry Geraghty’s rides
Barry Geraghty gets ready to ride at Cheltenham.
We take a look at Barry Geraghty’s rides at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival, and speculate as to how his horses will get on when the meeting starts on Tuesday 10th March.
Of all of the jockeys currently riding, none have ridden as many winners at the Cheltenham Festival as Barry Geraghty. JP McManus’ retained rider has celebrated victory at the Festival on 38 occasions, and entered the winners’ enclosure twice last year, guiding Sire Du Berlais and Defi Du Seuil to sparkling victories.
As is the norm, there are many horses who carry the famous green and gold silks of McManus sitting prominently in the current Cheltenham Festival betting. Here’s a list of Barry Geraghty’s rides and top chances at Cheltenham in 2020.
Barry Geraghty’s Rides at the Cheltenham Festival
EPATANTE
Nicky Henderson’s mare shot to the head of the Champion Hurdle betting over Christmas, when she bolted up in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. The Champion Hurdle picture has rarely been murkier than is looks in 2020, and Epatante (3/1 888Sport) looks to have the speed and quality to prevail in the opening Championship race of the Cheltenham Festival. She will feature amongst many expert’s Cheltenham Festival tips.
DEFI DU SEUIL
Barry Geraghty has ridden Defi Du Seuil to Grade One glory on four occasions over the past two season, including the Marsh Novices’ Chase at last year’s Festival. Victories in the Tingle Creek and the Clarence House has thrust Philip Hobbs’ star to the top of the Champion Chase market, and Geraghty will fancy his chances of taking down Altior and Chacun Pour Soi. Once again, he looks the best of Barry Geraghty’s rides.
CHAMP
Has been mentioned as one of the best Cheltenham Festival tips in recent weeks. Geraghty was forced to pick himself up off the canvas on New Years’ Day, as Champ came a cropper in the Dipper. Despite that blunder, Nicky Henderson’s novice remains the firm-favourite for the RSA Chase and Geraghty will be desperate to make amends, having finished a close second to City Island in the Ballymore 12 months ago.
SIRE DU BERLAIS
Anyone who questioned whether Geraghty was still one of the best jockeys on the circuit were made to eat their words after the Pertemps Final 12 months ago. Sire Du Berlais was on and off the bridle throughout, but Geraghty produced a masterful ride to help Gordon Elliott’s charge justify his short price tag. Sire Du Berlais will return to the Pertemps Final in 2020, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see this talented hurdler claim back-to-back victories.
MICK PASTOR
Joseph O’Brien duo, A Wave Of The Sea and Cerberus are both owned by JP McManus, so it’s possible Geraghty could be tasked with riding either in the Triumph Hurdle. However, with O’Brien likely to split his contenders between the Triumph and the Fred Winter, and the fact Mark Walsh often rides his runners in the McManus colours, Geraghty could find himself riding Mick Pastor in Friday’s opener. Paul Nicholls’ youngster was way too keen and green on debut at Cheltenham, but showed his potential when hacking up at Ludlow next time out and has to be respected in the Triumph.