F EATURE BARRY GERAGHTY
was also one of his last, on board Champ in last year’s Festival Novices’ Chase – a race now known as the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase. The nine year old, who is rather fittingly named after the legendary Sir AP McCoy, left it until the very final strides to claimwhat, with a furlong to go at least, looked the most unlikely of victories. Ever since, Champ has been talked about as a genuine contender for the biggest prize of them all – this year’s WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup – and Geraghty believes he has the talent to be a big player on the day. He explains: “Champ hasn’t had the ideal preparation, but he stays really well and when you look at Gold Cup horses over the years that is the main thing. “Bobs Worth wasn’t blessed with speed, particularly at the latter end of his career, so you need to be a strong stayer – a Denman if you like. You need a horse who really sees it out well. Champ does that, and he’s a big player. “I think we’re spoiled this year, particularly with the novice chasers, and I can’t wait to watch!” For the first time in two decades, watching will be all he can do.
or Fairyhouse, but I can tell you how many at Cheltenham – and I can name them!”
Geraghty admits there are too many components that make The Festival so special to hone in on just one, but explains that it is the challenge posed by Cheltenham’s three courses – Old, New and Cross Country – that keeps jockeys, trainers and owners coming back for more. He adds: “The track is unique and it offers a lot of opportunity for improving your position in a race, but by the same token it offers a lot of opportunity for doing the opposite. “There are a lot of calls you have to make through the race that will affect your result and then, when you put the pressure of the occasion on top of that, it’s that combination of the whole thing that makes it so challenging. “If you can get an early winner on the board that brings its own elation, whereas it can become torture if you have to wait until the end of the week – or if you’re unlucky enough to come through it with nothing.” Although he describes choosing a favourite from his 43 Festival winners as like “picking between your children”, one of Geraghty’s most spectacular triumphs
BARRY ’ S FAVOUR I TE F I VE F E S T I VAL WI NNERS MOS COW F LY E 2001 Arkle Trophy BOB S WORTH 2013 Cheltenham Gold Cup MORE OF THAT 2014 World Hurdle E PATANT E 2020 Champion Hurdle CHAMP 2020 Festival Novices’ Chase
THE JOCKEYCLUB . CO . UK 17
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker