Geraghty prepared for Bliss battle

Barry Geraghty admits Kasbah Bliss will be hard to beat in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle but is keen to have a crack at him with Punchestowns.

The Nicky Henderson-trained six-year-old shot to the head of betting to take the stayers’ crown after winning the Long Walk Hurdle by 11 lengths.

However, Punchestowns was turned over by Big Buck’s in the Cleeve Hurdle and lost his favourite tag to the French raider Kasbah Bliss after his romp at Haydock.

“He’s a horse I’m mad about,” said Geraghty of Punchestowns.

“He was good in the Long Walk, won a handicap off top-weight at Cheltenham in November and he was below his best when he was beaten by Big Buck’s at Cheltenham in the Cleeve.

“I wouldn’t read too much into that form and I’d be very hopeful of a good show.

“If Kasbah Bliss runs as well as he did at Haydock, he is going to take a lot of beating but I’d be very hopeful.

“I was third in the World Hurdle last year on Kazal and I jumped the last alongside Kasbah Bliss and Inglis Drever and the two of them sprinted away from it.

“He’s improved massively on the flat. He’s gone up a stone or more on the ratings and he could be anything really but we’ll be giving it a go on Punchestowns,” he told At The Races.