Barry Geraghty says Edwardstone’s type might want to take one other step up in type if he’s to deal with Energumene within the Champion Chase following his profitable return on Sunday.
Arkle hero Edwardstone stamped his Champion Chase credentials with a shocking victory within the Tingle Creek Chase, while defending champion Energumene romped residence within the Hilly Manner Chase at Cork.
And while Edwardstone arguably achieved extra in beating Greaneteen and Shishkin, Energumene is odds on in locations for the Champion Chase, with Edwardstone a 5/2 shot for the Alan King group.
When reviewing Energumene’s seasonal reappearance on Off The Fence, Geraghty was impressed with how relaxed the Champion Chaser regarded and admitted the Willie Mullins’ horse could be very a lot nonetheless the one to beat.
Edwardstone clears the final fence on his strategy to profitable at Sandown
“I might keep on with the present champion,” Geraghty mentioned.
“Edwardstone is an excellent horse and actually impressed me within the Tingle Creek however he simply must make that step to beat an Energumene or a horse of that commonplace.
“It was a very good efficiency and it is what you’d’ve hoped for.
“Simply a few little issues – he did take a look on the gate, was a bit idle in entrance and missed the primary down the again and the second final.
“He simply wasn’t as aggressive as possibly he was at Ascot when he was actually on edge and was actually switched on with Paul Townend.
“He was extra relaxed and for that motive he put down on the first down the again, however jumped rather well after that.
“It ought to assist him within the end, when he did not come residence amazingly at Ascot and he may get residence higher this 12 months with that little bit of age and expertise in order that’s a optimistic for me anyway.”
Geraghty additionally reserved reward for Mullins’ steady jockey Paul Townend, who has made the seamless transition to No.1 rider at Closutton after the retirement of Ruby Walsh in 2019.
“Paul [Townend] is an excellent rider and he talked about how these are the toughest rides,” he added. “Galloping all the way down to a fence you are pondering, ‘I do not really want a giant one’.
“You’ll be able to go away your self second guessing and on a hiding to nothing. The potential is all for one thing to go mistaken or one thing adverse so it may be a take a look at for a rider.
“However Paul was excellent on Energumene and he is superb as effectively.”
Meet the Off The Fence group
Barry Geraghty
Now retired after a 24-year profession within the saddle which yielded 43 Cheltenham Pageant successes, Gold Cup and Grand Nationwide-winning jockey Barry Geraghty returns to At The Races, with whom he loved a fruitful relationship as ambassador and columnist between 2012 and 2019.
An iconic Nationwide Hunt rider nonetheless effectively related and using work at a number of the sport’s greatest yards, Barry has gained all there’s to win in jumps racing and is bound to present Off The Fence viewers uncooked perception every week.
Vanessa Ryle
A well-liked member of the Sky Sports activities Racing on-course presenter group who additionally fronts The Bloodstock Present, host Vanessa is an avid jumps racing fan, and will likely be tasked every week with steering her analyst colleagues ‘Off The Fence’.
Tony Keenan
attheraces.com’s resident Irish tipster and analyst, Tony Keenan has additionally performed a number one function alongside Barry in ATR’s Cheltenham Preview Nights in Dublin since 2017.
As sharp-tongued as he’s sharp-minded, Tony’s common distinctive takes and no-nonsense supply will little question preserve Off The Fence viewers (and Barry and Vanessa!) on their toes.
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