Barry Geraghty’s William Hill blog: Speed is Energumene’s weapon in Clarence House

William Hill ambassador Barry Geraghty looks over a terrific weekend of racing from Ascot, Haydock and Windsor, and picks out his best bets.

Ascot, Saturday

KARGESE finished second in the Triumph, second again at Aintree and then won at Punchestown last season, so she sets a good standard in the Grade 2 mares’ hurdle (1:40pm). It’s interesting that Willie Mullins has delayed producing this five-year-old mare until this time of the year. He did it last year with Lossiemouth when she reappeared to win at Cheltenham in January. Kargese is top-rated, has very good form and is still open to a lot of progression, so I’d be sweet on her chances.

MARTATOR might be the one in the following handicap chase (2:15pm). He had Kotmask well behind when winning at Ascot on his penultimate start, but last time out it didn’t look as though he had the pace for Kempton. He’s unbeaten in three starts at Ascot, so the course clearly suits him well, and the step back up in trip also looks to be in his favour.

In a competitive looking handicap hurdle (2:50pm), BO ZENITH might be the way to go. He really caught the eye last time out at Cheltenham when coming from way off the pace to finish third. That was his return to action after over 600 days off the track and hopefully he can find some improvement from that now stepping up in trip.

The Clarence House (3:32pm) sees a brilliant clash between Jonbon and ENERGUMENE. Jonbon has been ultra consistent in winning both the Shloer Chase and Tingle Creek this season. Unlike at Cheltenham, where you have a straight five furlongs from the start, at Ascot you jump the first fence and are immediately on the turn. That can make it hard to get into a natural flow in the first half mile and reduces the chance of an end-to-end gallop, creating more of an emphasis on speed in the second half of the race. Jonbon has the stamina for two-and-a-half miles as he proved at Aintree last season, but Energumene could just have the edge pace-wise. I see him being able to dictate the pace of the race and then quicken from the front. He put in a good performance at Cork on his return from a long absence, and that form has been done no harm by Banbridge, who looked booked for second, winning the King George since then. He is an 11-year-old, so would become the oldest winner of the Clarence House, but I see him improving from Cork and this track should play to his strengths.

Haydock, Saturday

In the Supreme Trial (1:55pm) it’s hard to get away from ROYAL INFANTRY who was a very comfortable winner over this course and distance last time. He stepped up well on his maiden hurdle victory there and on ratings he looks to hold a good bit in hand of his opposition.

TRELAWNE is the one I like in the Peter Marsh (2:30pm). His best form is all on soft and heavy ground and I think the better ground at Ascot caught him out last time. He was a winner at Haydock over two miles five furlongs and I don’t think he’ll have a problem getting this trip. A return to soft ground should bring about an improved performance. Royale Pagaille is something of a Haydock specialist, but he is an 11-year-old and carrying plenty of weight, while Trelawne brings clear potential to improve.

Windsor, Sunday

There’s some brilliant racing and prizemoney on offer at Windsor on Sunday, as there was on Friday too for the first day of the Berkshire Winter Million. I wonder if this will become their version of the Dublin Racing Festival – they’ve got the horses and the prizemoney, and the timing is good for Cheltenham.

Windsor’s valuable card begins with the rerouted Hampton Novices’ Chase (12:10pm). JINGKO BLUE was a good winner on chase debut at Uttoxeter, form that was franked with the runner-up going on to win since. Nicky [Henderson] saw fit to run him in the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last season even though his horses weren’t running well at the time, so he must be a horse the yard think a good bit of.

The two-mile handicap chase (1:55pm) is a tricky one to weigh up. I thought MATATA, who over-raced when narrowly beaten last time out at Kelso, could be the one. With Editeur Du Gite in the field, he’s sure to get some early cover, and that should suit him better. I think he’s better than he showed last time.

JIPCOT was the one that caught my eye in the three-mile handicap hurdle (2:30pm). He was very impressive last time at Newbury on what was his first run after a wind op. Now he is stepping up to three miles for the first time, but he has form on soft ground, and Windsor wouldn’t be the most testing track. He’s only a six-year-old and won like a horse that had more to offer last time. If you’re after a bit of each-way value, then GIT MAKER could be the way to go. He finished second in the Kim Muir and then third in the Scottish National last season and runs here off a six-pound lower hurdle mark. Jamie Snowden has his horses in good form, and Git Maker has a good record fresh, so he’s one to keep an eye on.

In the Fleur De Lys Chase (3:05pm) we see a rematch between Djelo and PROTEKTORAT after Djelo turned over his rival in the Peterborough Chase. Protektorat was ridden well out the back around a very sharp track at Huntingdon and I think that gave the race away really. Last season he finished second to L’Homme Presse, giving weight away, when this race was run at Lingfield, and a reproduction of that form would make him the one to beat. I think a return to being ridden closer to the pace and to racing left-handed will see Protektorat come back out on top.