Topham Chase Result: Geraghty triumphs aboard Triolo d'Alene

Triolo D'Alene held on to claim a thrilling Topham Chase for the red-hot Henderson and Geraghty...

A little over half an hour after stable star Sprinter Sacre turned in a brilliant display in the Melling Chase, Triolo D'Alene was a 17.2n/a shot to claim this two-mile-five-furlong handicap run over the Grand National fences.

Geraghty was never too far off the pace and sent his mount to the lead jumping the final obstacle.

The six-year-old galloped on strongly all the way up the gruelling run-in to hold off the determined challenge of Walkon by three-quarters of a length.

Last Time D'Albain and the front-running Dunowen Point rounded off the placings.

Henderson said: "The boys have done an amazing job. This was always the plan. We thought the race would suit him. His jumping is exemplary and the trip was right.

"Everything was going swimmingly well at home until the weekend when he decided to take one of his shoes off during the night and tread on it.

"He's always been sound and been able to work but we were always having to fight and fight and there were days when I didn't think he'd get here.

"We always thought this would be his race, he had the right sort of profile."

Max McNeill, owner of the Alan King-trained runner-up Walkon, said: "That was a magnificent effort. We had to have a big debate about coming here and he's been so unlucky as he keeps on finding one too good this year.

"I shall have to try to persuade my wife to run him in next year's Grand National."

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World Hurdle: Geraghty expecting more from Oscar

"I don't think we saw the best of him, but I think he got the trip so the World Hurdle is a big option for him..."

Barry Geraghty believes Oscar Whisky was not at his best in the Cleeve Hurdle on Saturday, despite him finishing a narrowly-beaten second...

Nicky Henderson's dual Aintree Hurdle winner has posed an ante-post conundrum for punters with some believing he holds a lively chance in the Champion Hurdle and others thinking he is tailor-made for the World Hurdle.

Saturday's run was only the second time he has tackled the World Hurdle trip of three miles, finishing fifth in the big race last season, and he went down only narrowly in heavy ground to Reve De Sivola.

However, Geraghty did not feel comfortable at any stage, suggesting better can be expected in March.

"He never travelled with anywhere near the same zest as he has done his last few runs," Geraghty told At The Races.

"I don't think we saw the best of him, but I think he got the trip so the World Hurdle is a big option for him."

Oscar Whisky has hardened in the betting for the World Hurdle after Saturday's encouraging effort, now trading as favourite at 6.05/1.

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Follow The Money: Henderson + Geraghty = winner!

Follow the Money / Follow The Money / 17 March 2012 / Leave a Comment

Masters at work

"Cape Express previously showed a good level of ability when running on the level and represents the all-conquering combination of Nicky Henderson and Barry Geraghty."

Today's Follow The Money comes from the meetings at Kempton, Uttoxeter and Ffos Las.

We start at Kempton where Cape Express has seen noticeable support in the 13:45 2m Novice Hurdle, currently trading at [3.0] from an early [5.5].

This seven-year-old was last seen on a racecourse when running at Newmarket in the summer of 2009 and makes his hurdles debut today, meaning a certain amount of faith is required. However, the Cape Cross gelding has previously showed a good level of ability when running on the level and represents the all-conquering combination of Nicky Henderson and Barry Geraghty. The master trainer is bound to have him fit for this test the gamble suggests his ability remains intact.

We go to Uttoxeter for our next selection where Posh Bird continues to be the backed for the Midlands National at 15:20 and is now the market leader at [6.6] having been available at [10.0]. The mare has improved for the step up to marathon distances this season, winning at Catterick over 3m6f back in January and then only being narrowly denied by a well-handicapped sort in the Eider last time out over today's trip. Although up 5lb in the weights for that effort, Lucy Alexander's claim negates that and she will be receiving weight from all the field. The move indicates she can go one better today.

We head to Ffos Las for today's negative, where Paradise Expected has proved easy to back in the 3m Hcap Chase at 17:10 and is available to lay at [4.3] having been [3.4]. A course winner on seasonal debut, the Tim Vaughan runner has run without success on two occasions since and finds himself only rated 1lb higher than the aforementioned victory. However, with the in-form Mac Helen and the talented but quirky Pancake in opposition today punters seem to feel he will struggle to gain a first victory over three miles.

Recommended Bets
Back Cape Express @ [3.0] Kempton 13:45
Back Posh Bird @ [6.6] Uttoxter 15:20
Lay Paradise Expected @ [4.3] Ffos Las 17:10

Today's Follow The Money movers come from the meetings at Cheltenham and Lingfield....

Today's Follow The Money movers come from the meetings at Cheltenham, Towcester and Hexham....

Today's Follow The Money movers come from the meetings at Cheltenham, Huntingdon and Southwell....

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