Geraghty handed Air Force One assignment

Barry Geraghty is set to ride Air Force One in Friday’s Stan James King George VI Chase after Charlie Mann ruled out his stable jockey Noel Fehily from taking the mount.

Fehily suffered a suffered a suspected broken collarbone in a fall at Fontwell on Tuesday but the rider is yet to have the extent of his injury confirmed and is still hoping to be fit.

However, Mann expects Fehily to miss out and is already considering tactics for the Kempton showpiece, which looks certain to be run at a strong gallop.

After watching Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup runner-up Air Force One complete his preparation with some work on grass, Mann said: “Noel went off the get an X-ray in Bristol this morning but I don’t think it would be ideal riding three days after an injury like that, whether the collarbone is broken or not.

“I’ve talked to Brian Walsh (owner) and we decided to book Barry, who is a top class jockey and I’m sure he’ll suit the horse.

“We plan to be nearer the front than the back as he likes to be competitive. That way we can exploit any chinks in the armour of Voy Por Ustedes and Imperial Commander, who both have to prove they stay.”

Timmy Murphy will replace Fehily on Shining Gale in the Feltham Novices’ Chase and Mann added: “I hope they get on.

“You need to be positive on Shining Gale who likes to be fairly handy. He’s not a typical hold-up horse at all.

“All the Kempton runners pleased me this morning. Air Force had a nice breeze on the grass while Shining Gale and Laredo Sound came up the all-weather together. They are all spot-on.”

The trainer reserved the last word for Fehily and concluded: “It’s terrible bad luck on Noel and I’d rather have him on the horses than anyone else.”