Barry Geraghty’s William Hill blog: Jagwar taken to Excel at Cheltenham

William Hill ambassador Barry Geraghty picks out his best bets on Saturday from Cheltenham and Doncaster.

Cheltenham, Saturday

Saturday’s ITV racing from Cheltenham begins with a tricky mares’ handicap chase (1:15pm). REALTA LIATH is one from one over fences and I thought she put in a good performance on chase debut at Fontwell. She seemed to step forward a good bit there from what she achieved over hurdles. Sean Bowen in the saddle is a notable positive booking.

I was with JAGWAR when he was set to line up in the Paddy Power Gold Cup last month and while he didn’t run there, I’m happy to stick with him in the December Gold Cup (1:50pm). He’s a gorgeous big horse and is still improving as a six-year-old. I think the New Course plays to his strengths more than the Old Course. He won the Plate at the Festival over this course and distance, so we know it suits him well. I think he really has the potential to make his presence felt in Graded chases, so this could be a stepping stone to better things.

In the following two-mile handicap chase (2:25pm), I liked the chances of EXCELERO. He put in a good performance over fences at Warwick last time. First time out this season he was very keen at Worcester but he looked much more relaxed at Warwick and put in a more measured display. He jumped really well there, and looked to me like a horse that was on a workable mark. The stable are in form and he should have more to come being only a five-year-old.

In the Grade 2 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (3:00pm), I’m sticking with CONMAN JOHN after his impressive win at Cheltenham in October. I think he’ll love this course, we know he stays the trip well and I would expect him to take a step forward from a good performance last time. To me he looks like one of the better staying novice hurdlers we’ll see this season.

SIOG GEAL is interesting in the two-and-a-half mile mares’ handicap hurdle (3:35pm). She returned this season with a good performance when third behind Hartington in a strong handicap at Carlisle. The winner was narrowly beaten in a valuable handicap at Haydock on his next start and the second also finished in the places on his next start, so the form looks strong. She’s back into mares’ company here and looks primed to run well.

Doncaster, Saturday

PRINCE ZALTAR might be the one in the Pennine Handicap Chase (2:05pm). He disappointed at Cheltenham in October but bounced back when finishing second behind Kikijo on soft ground back at Cheltenham. That form has been boosted with the winner going in again since then. He’s had two good runs from three starts since joining the Skelton team from Philip Rothwell and it’s interesting he’s being sent back over fences now. Conditions at Doncaster should be fine for him and he could still have more to offer.

KATEIRA sets the standard in the Listed Doncaster Mares’ Hurdle (2:40pm). World Of Fortunes only has eight pounds to find with her on official ratings and gets two pounds off her here. Kateira’s form is so strong, including when a head second to Jetara over this course and distance last season. She was a little bit disappointing behind Wodhooh at Ascot last time, but she came from a long way off the pace that day. She has Graded form to her name – she was less than four lengths behind Crambo in the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle last season – and on her best form she will be very hard to beat.