Jockey Barry Geraghty heads from Ireland to Scotland (From York Press)

Jockey Barry Geraghty heads from Ireland to Scotland

11:12am Wednesday 15th February 2012 in Horse racing By Tom O'Ryan, Racing journalist

Lambourn trainer Nicky Henderson, who made entries for three horses in the BetVictor Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso, has left proven star performers Binocular and Oscar Whisky at home and relies solely on the less well-known Simonsig to win today’s feature contest on the seven-race card.

Barry Geraghty, Henderson’s number one jockey, travels over from Ireland to take the mount on Simonsig, who makes plenty of appeal.

A useful horse in Ireland last season, the six-year-old won at Ascot on his hurdles debut for Henderson and followed up with an excellent effort at Ascot to chase home the top-class Fingal Bay in Grade 2 company.

Simonsig has not been seen for ten weeks, but Henderson’s horses rarely fail for lack of fitness and he is fancied to have the edge over North Yorkshire hope Marsh Warbler, a Grade 1 winner for Brian Ellison last term and responsible for some fine efforts in defeat this winter.

Henderson and Geraghty can also clinch the Kelso Members Novices’ Chase with Bellvano.

A winner over fences at Punchestown in May, the eight-year-old has since failed twice to add to that success, but there was plenty to like about his runner-up effort at Newbury on his latest outing four weeks ago. He may have too much class for Keith Reveley’s ultra-consistent Kings Grey.

Absinthe will be a popular choice in the opening Berrymoss Novices’ Chase, but preference is for Kealigolane, the mount of Lucy Alexander.

A convincing winner at Musselburgh two starts back, the bold front-runner has since run well in defeat and looks to be still progressing. He is not to be underestimated.

The well-weighted Funky Munky (2.40) and Lucematic (4.40), who won on her debut at Newcastle last month without being asked to stretch by confident jockey Denis O’Regan, are two others to merit attention.

At Southwell tomorrow, Mister Frosty is napped to resume winning ways in the Blue Square Winter Carnival IPhone Apprentice Handicap.

The six-year-old was a well-backed winner here last week before finishing a creditable fourth in hotter company at Lingfield last Saturday. This looks a good opportunity for him to get back in the groove.

Pipers Piping is fancied to win the Thousands of Sports Experiences At bluesq.com Handicap.

Alistair Lidderdale’s gelding failed by only a head to beat Patriotic at Wolverhampton last time. He is a previous winner over this course and distance and comes from a stable in good form.

Tricksofthetrade turns out quickly in a bid to complete a course double.

Trained near Richmond in North Yorkshire by Alan Swinbank, the six-year-old scored here last week on his first outing of the year.

Provided this race does not come too soon for him, Tricksofthetrade should be hard to beat, despite a 6lb penalty.

Racing selections

Kelso (today)

1.40 Kealigolane, 2.10 Bellvano, 2.40 Funky Munky, 3.10 Premier Sagas, 3.40 Simonsig, 4.10 Aggie’s Lad, 4.40 Lucematic.

Today’s other meetings

Kempton, Lingfield and Southwell.

Southwell (tomorrow)

1.50 Mister Frosty (NAP), 2.20 Bookiesindexboy, 2.50 Candelita, 3.25 Tricksofthetrade, 3.55 Claretintheblood, 4.25 Pipers Piping, 4.55 Fluctuation.

Tomorrow’s other meetings

Kempton, Leicester and Musselburgh.