Geraghty's spare ride a real king of a horse

Le Roi Miguel got Ruby Walsh into some hot water after deserting him in December's King George, and the horse can come back to haunt the leading Irish jockey in today's Daily Telegraph Trophy.

Walsh has chosen Paul Nicholls' other runner, Thisthatandtother, which leaves Barry Geraghty in for what could be a plum spare ride.

Certainly Le Roi Miguel's owner, Graham Stewart, has been a lot less vocal in the run-up to this race than he was before Kempton, and Geraghty is no bad substitute to be able to call on.

Le Roi Miguel was beaten from four out in that King George, and if the run proved anything it indicated that this newly installed festival race should be ideal.

The seven-year-old is a classic example of a horse falling between the two mile and three mile stools, a comment that also applies to his stable companion.

But the worry about Thisthatandtother is the list of runner-up placings next to his name. A "nearly" horse is not one you want on your side around here.

Even less desirable is one that might not relish tackling that final hill, and there is enough suspicion about Our Vic on that score to make him eminently avoidable.

In contrast, the boxes next to Rathgar Beau's name all look to be satisfactorily ticked. Honest, durable and with a very effective kick at the finish, Dusty Sheehy's horse is a real player in this.

Of the other Irish, Native Upmanship looks past his best but Risk Accessor might be worth an each way interest. However, Le Roi Miguel is the hopeful win advice.

Racing opens with another new contest, the Jewson Novices Handicap Chase, where Tony McCoy's mount Quazar could repay a little each way interest.

Jonjo O'Neill's horses have been under a sickness cloud since Christmas, but there has been enough evidence this week to suggest they are coming back to something approaching their best. Quazar, a 12-time winner over jumps, wasn't that far from the top over hurdles, and on some of his overall form he doesn't look badly handicapped at all.

Keepatem landed an almighty gamble in the Paddy Power at Leopardstown over Christmas, and a similar sort of rush at the bookmakers might not be out of the question in today's four mile National Hunt Chase.

Certainly the JP McManus owned horse will not lack for assistance from the saddle, as John Thomas McNamara has already won with a vengeance at the festival.

Along with Point Barrow, Keepatem makes up part of a very strong Irish challenge, but well-fancied horses have a habit of biting the dust in this race and it could pay to look elsewhere.

Robert Widger rode Native Emperor to win last year and he is on the ex-Irish Willie John Daly this time.

The Philip Hobbs-trained horse has won four times in Britain and should have no problems with the marathon journey.

Just Oulart and Fairwood Present fly the Irish flag in the Pertemps Final, but they could have a task coping with the Lucy Wadham-trained The Dark Lord, who missed yesterday's Coral Cup.

Crucially, the eight-year-old is a double course winner already and looks one that has been laid out especially for the race.

Iznogoud tries to go one better than last year in the Mildmay of Flete and will be strongly fancied on the back of a good run in the Racing Post Chase at Kempton. Colca Canyon won't be far away despite the weight he has to carry, but a possible winner is Palarshan, who landed the Grand Annual here two years ago.