Geraghty sticks with Squouateur as McManus bids for third success in six years

Paddy Power Handicap Chase | 3m½f | ATR

Barry Geraghty's decision cannot have been easy. JP McManus is responsible for three of the top four in the market for one of the hottest handicap chases of the season and cases can easily be made for all three. His number one retained rider must have had plenty to ponder.

Gordon Elliott obviously made the strongest argument as Geraghty has opted for Squouateur despite the fact the six-year-old has yet to win over fences after seven attempts.

Frank Berry, McManus' racing manager, gave the lowdown on hiss quartet, with the owner attempting to win the race for the third time in six years following the victories of Colbert Station in 2012 and Minella Foru in 2015.

Berry said: "Squouateur has taken his time to get the hang of jumping but Gordon seems happy with him and he should cope well with the ground.

"Oscar Knight has his own way of jumping but ran well in the race last year when third to Noble Endeavor, and won nicely over hurdles at Naas, which should leave him in good shape for this.

"Anibale Fly has plenty of weight but does have a touch of class so has the potential to run well.

"Tesseract ran very well in the Troytown when fifth so should go well, while our other potential runner, Teacher's Pet, is only a reserve."

Polidam has recent history to defy

The recent roll of honour suggests that the lighter the weight, the better your chance. Noble Endeavor, last year's winner, was the first since Majestic Concorde in 2010 to carry more than 10st 11lb to victory.

The six most recent winners have carried 11st 3lb, 10st 8lb, 10st 9lb, 10st 3lb, 10st 11lb and 10st 4lb, so the top seven on the list have recent history to defy.

That top seven includes long-time ante-post favourite Polidam, who has been all the rage for this since he shocked stablemate Acapella Bourgeois in a handicap chase at Navan this month.

While most of those watching were disappointed to see Acapella Bourgeois defeated, trainer Willie Mullins didn't seem so surprised and suggested there was more improvement to come

He said after the race: "Polidam certainly enjoyed that ground and liked the trip. I think he'll improve again. If he wasn't in the race Acapella Bourgeois would have won with his head in his chest."

Third time lucky for Conti?

This is Ucello Conti's third try in the Paddy Power. He beat all bar Minella Foru when ridden by Jacques Ricou in 2015 and was an honourable seventh behind stablemate Noble Endeavor last year.

He was rated 137 when second in 2015 and 144 last year. He is only 1lb higher than that mark now and Gordon Elliott has shrewdly booked 7lb claimer Liam McKenna.

Could it be a case of third-time lucky for the nine-year-old, who finished sixth in the 2016 Grand National?

What they say

Noel Meade, trainer of Road To Riches, Bonny Kate, Apache Stronghold and Texas Jack
We've been sending Road To Riches hunting in an attempt to get his mojo back. He's not been the same horse since his fall at Punchestown. We're claiming off him and hopefully he'll show some of his old spark. The wetter the better for Bonny Kate. She's come on nicely since Navan. Apache Stronghold is a Grade 1 horse running in a handicap and is coming along nicely. Texas Jack has never been in better form and if it wasn't a handicap I'd be really keen on him bouncing back. He could surprise a few people.

Tony Martin, trainer of Anibale Fly and Phils Magic
Anibale Fly seems in good form and appears to be coming back to himself. Phils Magic was a bit unlucky not to be placed at Cheltenham last time and would have done so with a bit more luck on the home turn. He should run well at a nice price.

Peter Fahey, trainer of Bay Of Freedom
He's had a nice break since his run at Wexford and I'm very happy with him. It's a very competitive race but he seems to like these big handicaps and his best ever run was probably in the Kerry National, in which he was third.

Ellmarie Holden, trainer of Call The Taxie
It's his first run in a handicap but he'd look to have the right profile for a race like this. If he stays out of trouble I think he might have a decent chance. He's in mighty form.