Geraghty delighted to take Dancer ride

Nov 23 2007 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

BARRY GERAGHTY can’t wait to sit on Exotic Dancer for the first time in tomorrow’s Betfair Chase at Haydock.

The Irish rider has come in for the spare ride on the Betfair Bowl winner as regular pilot Tony McCoy will be on Wichita Lineman for his boss JP McManus at Ascot.

The Jonjo O’Neill-trained seven-year-old was among the seven entries declared for tomorrow’s Grade One feature on the opening day of the North West Masters weekend, with last year’s winner Kauto Star and Arkle hero My Way De Solzen in opposition.

On picking up the spare ride on the Sir Robert Ogden-owned gelding, Geraghty said: “For sure, I’m looking forward to riding Exotic Dancer. He’s a class horse and natur-ally I’m hoping for a big run on Saturday.

“Everything was organised through my agent, so I haven’t spoken to Jonjo or anybody yet. I haven’t sat on Exotic Dancer and I wouldn’t think that I will before Saturday.

“Haydock is a track that I like to ride. I won the Tommy Whittle Chase on Jonjo’s big horse, Keen Leader, four years ago, and a novice chase for Nicky Henderson on Caracciola, so it has been a lucky enough place for me.”

Exotic Dancer’s owner was delighted to have booked Geraghty and Ogden’s racing manager Barry Simpson said: “Barry came in for a very good ride for us on three occasions the previous season on Star De Mohaison. We’ve got great confidence in his suitability for the horse. He’s a great jockey, but he’s also an extremely good big-race jockey and that’s a very important factor.”

There are a number of jockey changes in the race with Sam Thomas due to partner favourite Kauto Star in the absence of Ruby Walsh, while last year’s runner-up Beef Or Salmon will be ridden by Denis O’Regan.

It is good to soft at Haydock now and clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright is not expec-ting that to change.