Legendary jockey Barry Geraghty’s guide to riding at the Cheltenham Festival
LEGENDARY jockey Barry Geraghty has given expert insight on what it’s like to ride at the Cheltenham Festival.
Few riders had as much success at Geraghty at jump racing’s biggest meeting.
The Irishman rode 43 winners at the Festival during his career, including five at the 2020 Festival which was his last before retirement.
Among his highlights were victories in the Gold Cup aboard Kicking King and Bob’s Worth, four Champion Chases on Moscow Flyer, Finian’s Rainbow and Sprinter Sacre and a Champion Hurdle on Punjabi.
Cheltenham is one of the trickiest tracks in the country to ride.
The Old Course, which is used on days one and two of the Festival, is noticeably tighter and places more emphasis on speed than the New Course, which is used on the final two days at Cheltenham.
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But both are undulating and, with a ferocious atmosphere off course, it is a massive test of a rider’s skill.
Geraghty takes us on a guided tour of the racecourse which gave him so many great memories.
You can read Geraghty’s opinions every day of the Festival in The Sun’s Favourite pullout, alongside Bryony Frost, Paul Nicholls, Harry Skelton and many more.
Barry Geraghty is an ambassador for 888Sport
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