Henderson ponders giving Geraghty Burton Port nod
The six-year-old has won five of his six starts over fences with his only defeat coming at the hands of Weapons Amnesty in the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
Due to the presence of the hat-trick seeking top-weight Denman, Burton Port is already due to race from 4lb out of the handicap in Saturday’s valuable contest.
But if owner Trevor Hemmings allows Geraghty to take the ride, he will effectively be racing from 6lb out of the weights as Geraghty’s lowest riding weight is 10st 2lb, 2lb higher than he is allotted to carry.
“I’ll have to talk to Trevor Hemmings about Burton Port. Barry can do 10st 2lb and it’s just a question of whether they will let him do that,” said Henderson.
The Seven Barrows handler could have a second string to his bow in the shape of Barbers Shop, although he does have an alternative in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle.
“Barbers Shop is in the Rehearsal Chase as well – he’s in good form and I don’t know where he’ll go,” the trainer added.
Meanwhile Mouse Morris admits he is being tempted to run China Rock due to his light weight.
“The plan is to go at the moment. I just need to talk to the owners and go through the race, but I’d say he’ll travel,” said Morris. “He came out of Down Royal with not a bother on him. He ran well there and he’d look well treated in the Hennessy.
“He would have to have an each-way chance, otherwise I’m wasting my time!”
