Geraghty takes Poquelin mount

Barry Geraghty will take the ride on Poquelin in the totescoop6 Old Roan Chase at Aintree on Saturday.

The jockey partnered Nicky Richards’ popular grey Monet’s Garden to success in the race 12 months ago and the Greystoke handler had been hoping to secure his services again.

But Poquelin’s owner Andy Stewart has revealed Geraghty will get the leg up on his Paul Nicholls-trained gelding as he bids to get the better of Albertas Run, who beat him at both Cheltenham and at Aintree in the spring.

“He’s going to run this weekend and Barry Geraghty has been booked to take the ride,” said Stewart.

“We get a few pounds from Albertas Run this time but obviously he was impressive both at Liverpool and Cheltenham when he beat us in the Ryanair Chase.

“I wouldn’t write off Monet’s Garden either.

“I think when Poquelin was at Aintree last it was the end of a long season.

“Albertas Run obviously did Cheltenham and Aintree as well but before that he had a bit of a break where as Poquelin had a much harder season.

“He won a handicap at Cheltenham, finished second in the Paddy Power Gold Cup and then won at Cheltenham again, so it was a hard campaign.

“Paul is very happy with him now and the horse is ready to go. Unfortunately I won’t be at Aintree as I’m just on my way to Barbados, but I’ll be watching it on the television.”