Barry Geraghty: Davy Russell, Frankie Dettori & A Heap Of Christmas Racing Tips

14/02/2024
8 min. read
Barry Geraghty
Barry Geraghty Tipster
By Barry Geraghty

Davy Russell

Davy was a brilliant jockey, simple as that. He stood the test of time and to come back from his neck injury was incredible.

That was absolutely horrific. He had two weights drilled into the back of his skull to stabilise the neck. It was a brutal injury.

In terms of his riding, tactically, he was so aware. He was also so strong and always made life difficult to try to beat him. If I was to highlight one ride, I’d have to say Lord Windermere in the Gold Cup.

That race was up for grabs and he made the difference. It was a brilliant, brilliant ride. Then there were the two Grand Nationals on Tiger Roll and he was Champion Jockey in Ireland three times.

He’s one of the best there’s ever been and I wish him a happy retirement.  

Frankie Dettori

Frankie has always been a larger-than-life character. He’s been brilliant for racing. No one has got racing on the front pages more than Frankie.

Although it’s a different code, you’d watch what he’d be doing. His positioning, how he’d challenge, his timing – all of that is relatable with jumps and Flat. Nine times out of ten he was in the right place at the right time.

Personally, I found it hard to listen to or read the criticism aimed at him recently. How do you judge a jockey best? It’s not the ones where you should win, it’s the ones where you shouldn’t.

He won loads of races he shouldn’t and I hope he has a fantastic final year travelling around the world, riding in the best races.

Punchestown, Monday

Galopin Des Champs was foot perfect in the John Durkan on Monday. The big positive was how relaxed he was. He was a little brave at one or two, but he didn’t race with the same level of enthusiasm that he did sometimes last season.

You need to relax and conserve energy if you’re going to win a Gold Cup, so it was a good sign. I think he’ll improve again in that department and he’s a worthy favourite.

He’s the one you’d want to be on. A Plus Tard is still the one he has to beat, but I think he could be more ground dependent than Galopin.

Appreciate It was very good on his first start over fences. He ran to a high standard when winning the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, even though that wasn’t the strongest of runnings.

He jumped really well and is very natural over a fence. He’d be a big threat to anyone in the Arkle or the Turners. Willie [Mullins] also has El Fabiolo and Dysart Dynamo, so they have options with Appreciate It. He’d have no problem going up in trip.

Kempton, Boxing Day

The King George (2:30) is the big one and I’m all in on L’HOMME PRESSE. Some have been talking about a ground concern for him, but I don’t think there is one.

He has some very good form on good-to-soft. He beat Mister Coffey 21 lengths in the Scilly Isles last February with Pic D’Orhy another six lengths back.

Mister Coffey nearly won the Kim Muir and Pic D’Orhy has recently won the Peterborough. L’Homme Presse sets the highest standard.

The King George is best suited to a horse that can be competitive over two and a half miles and he’s proven that.

Bravemansgame is a good horse. He ducked the festival when it went very soft and then disappointed in Aintree. He beat Eldorado Allen 3½ lengths getting 3lbs off him in the Charlie Hall and he’s 33/1.

You have to respect anything Paul Nicholls runs given his record in the race, but I think Bravemansgame and Hitman still have it to prove.

Envoi Allen showed a good level of form to win in Down Royal, but he will have to take another bit step up to win this.

It’s good that they’ve managed to move the Long Walk Hurdle (12:45) to Kempton. There was very little between Champ and Paisley Park in Newbury, but I would side with Champ out of the two at this track.

Paisley Park is a horse who races behind the bridle and hits flat spots.

You need a strong cruising speed round Kempton, and I don’t think it will play to Champ’s strengths either. They’re also both ten-year-olds now so could be vulnerable to one with younger legs.

I’ll go with GOSHEN. I know plenty questioned the form of the Coral Hurdle the last day, but he beat Brewin’upastorm 8½ lengths giving him 6lbs.

I know Brewin’upastorm has had some disappointments, but he has a good level of form generally, so it was a good performance from Goshen. Going right-handed is essential for him and the step up in trip could be just what he wants nowadays.

All being well, CONSTITUTION HILL should be very hard to beat in the Christmas Hurdle (1:55).

Epatante is second favourite, but she was well beaten in the Fighting Fifth and even though she has won two of the last three renewals of this race, it’s hard to make a case for her turning the form around.

They’re very happy with Constitution Hill at home. He has bags of pace and his jumping has been very good so far.

Paul Nicholls looks to have a strong hand in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase (1:20). Harry [Cobden] has gone with MCFABULOUS and he had to really given the way he won in Newbury the last day.

Gelino Bello is a very good horse as well and there shouldn’t be much between them, but I’d side with McFabulous. I don’t think chasing is Thyme Hill’s game.

Wetherby, Boxing Day

There’s a strong field for the Rowland Meyrick (1:35) up in Wetherby. SHAN BLUE was going to win the Charlie Hall last year when he fell.

He then disappointed in the Ryanair before finishing second to Sam Brown at the Grand National meeting. He’s back in here off 148 and has a good record fresh, so I’ll go with him.

Chepstow, 27th December

The Welsh National (2:50) is always one of the highlights over the Christmas period and it’s very hard to get away from the top of the market this year.

QUICK WAVE only has a 4lb penalty which is very attractive given the way she won in Sandown. She has now won both her starts since having a wind op and she has to be the one for me.

It’s a very competitive race, though. The Big Dog won the Troytown the last day and he’ll love conditions. He stays all day and goes on bottomless ground. He has a big squeak.

The Galloping Bear is back in off the same mark as when disqualified after winning the Grand National Trial in Haydock in February.

Eight of the eleven runners were pulled up that day, so he’ll have no problem if it the ground gets really bad. He had a prep over hurdles last month as well.

We don’t know the final field for the Finale Juvenile Hurdle (1:40) yet, so it’s difficult to be too strong with your views.

There shouldn’t be much between Scriptwriter and Perseus Way again if they both line up, but I would take DIXON COVER against them.

She has won both her starts since moving to Ditcheat and she might just make it three here.

Kempton, 27th December

The Desert Orchid Chase (2:30) looks like a battle between EDWARDSTONE and Nube Negra and you just have to side with the former.

It was a very good performance in the Tingle Creek earlier this month and as long as that hasn’t left a mark, he should have too much for the Shloer winner.

THUNDER ROCK looks to be the one in the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase (1:20). This doesn’t look the strongest of runnings, but he is a horse on the up and it was a good performance in Ascot the last day.

Leopardstown, 27th December

The big betting race of the day is the Paddy Power Chase (3:00) and I think it can go to AIN’T THAT A SHAME for the De Bromhead yard.

He was only beaten a head by The Big Dog in the Munster National back in October where he would have won if he hadn’t made a mistake at the last. It’s a very competitive race but for me he has the best chance.

CHACUN POUR SOI won the Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase (1:10) two years ago and he can repeat the feat here. Stablemate Blue Lord is probably his biggest danger, but I’d say he’d want further.

I’d like to wish everyone a very happy and healthy Christmas!

 

 

About the Author See all Barry Geraghty Articles
Barry Geraghty
Barry Geraghty Tipster

With 43 winners at the Cheltenham Festival, Barry Geraghty is the second most successful jockey in the meeting’s illustrious history.

Career highlights include five Queen Mother Champion Chase victories, two Cheltenham Gold Cup triumphs and victory aboard Monty’s Pass in the 2003 Grand National.

Barry has partnered with 888sport for the 2021/22 jumps season, providing his expert insight and horse racing analysis on the biggest races of the week.