Cheltenham’s fantastic Trials card contributes to what is one of the biggest Saturdays in National Hunt racing memory, with the rescheduled Clarence House Chase stretching the card to nine big races.
The opener looks fascinating, as Barry Geraghty, retained rider for JP McManus, has opted against riding Grade 1 winner Defi Du Seuil in favour of the twice-raced Charli Parcs.
It looks a significant switch as Defi Du Seuil has been very impressive in all his starts this season and has proven his liking for Cheltenham with a couple of easy wins before Christmas.
Ready Geraghty’s At The Races blog, it seems the ground is the biggest factor in his decision with unseasonably good ground at Cheltenham – it’s also the opening race, so the surface will be in perfect order.
I’m not convinced at all, as Defi Du Seuil appears to have huge claims on known form and three of his wins have been with ‘good’ in the going description.
It doesn’t add up, so either the odds-on Charli Parcs is a superstar or Geraghty is simply trying to see where he’s at with the horse before all roads lead back to Cheltenham and the Triumph Hurdle in March.
Richard Johnson is a most able deputy and the 6/4 available is too good to pass, with the four others in opposition offering precious little to rival the selection’s form.
1pt win Defi Du Seuil @6/4, 12:00 Cheltenham, Saturday (Paddy Power)
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