If Barry Geraghty though having to choose between More Of That and Cause Of Causes in the Grand National was difficult, he must now choose between two of the favourites in the Liverpool Hurdle.
Geraghty will have watched on from his treatment table as Unowhatimeanharry’s unbeaten streak came to an end in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, but he will have an excellent chance of bouncing back to winning ways in the Liverpool Hurdle on Saturday afternoon.
After he tumbled back through the field in the Champion Hurdle, Geraghty will have fancied Yanworth’s chances over the extended trip in the Aintree Hurdle on Thursday. However, Alan King and J.P. McManus has decided to bump Yanworth up that extra mile and give him his maiden crack at a three mile contest at the Aintree Festival.
“All our horses in the race will be a doing bit of work early in the week,” Frank Berry, racing manager to J.P. McManus said to the Racing Post over the weekend. “If they’re in good order the plan would be to run Yanworth and Unowhatimeanharry.”
This means two of McManus’ star turns look set for an epic showdown in the Liverpool Hurdle, barring any late withdrawals or connections getting cold feet.
The upcoming duel poses a difficult question to the returning Geraghty, who – as the lead stable jockey for owner, J.P. McManus – will have the final decision on which of the green-and-gold-carrying Liverpool Hurdle challengers he will mount on the final day of the Festival.
If it were up to McManus, Geraghty would surely ride Yanworth, with whom he had forged a strong relationship over the past couple of seasons. Noel Fehily will be on stand-by to take the ride on Unowhatimeanharry once again, as we look set to be treated to a fascinating battle in the build-up to the Grand National.
