Walsh and Geraghty at Newbury today

it is unusual to find the two top Irish jockeys Ruby Walsh and Barry Geraghty riding at a relatively harmless midweek meeting, but that is the case at Newbury today. Walsh has 3 rides, all for Paul Nicholls, and Geraghty two for Nicky Henderson, and we expect both to be among the winners. The y ggo head to hed in the novice hurdle at 15.00 CET, with the latter on the penalised Broadbackbob and Walsh possibly having the better chance on Polisky in receipt of 7 lbs. Geraghty´s best chance is Ericht in the maiden hurdle at 14.5, although Montbazon (Alan King/ Wayne Hutchinson) provides stern opposition here. Walsh rides Pasco in the main event, the graduation chase over 3 miles at 15.35, but we have our doubts about his getting the trip. The Giaant Bolster (David Bridgwater/ Tom Scudamore) and Time for Rupert (Paul Webber/ Denis O´Regan) have no stamina problems and could outstay him; we prefer Time for Rupert, who had no chance against Kauto Star and Long Run last time, but is clear top-rated here.
Not all the top jockeys are at Newbury, and Tony McCoy and Jason Maguire are at Bangor. McCoy can take the opener here on Henderson´s Skint and has another winning chance with Jonjo O´Neill´s Ballyclough at 14.45, ss well as Arbor Supreme in the 3 mile handicap hurdle at 15.20; this one has fallen in the last 2 Grand Nationals, when trained by Willie Mullins, and the National is presumably his main target again. We also hope to see Incentivise (Richard Lee/ Jake Greenall) repeat his 2010 victory in the 3 3/4 miles chase at 14.10.