Barry Geraghty’s William Hill blog: Genius and Ambition hold the key at Kelso

William Hill ambassador Barry Geraghty runs his eye over the pick of the weekend racing from Kelso, Newbury, Doncaster and Navan.

Kelso, Saturday

The Premier Novices’ (2:17pm) is an interesting race. Jango Baie has a Grade 1 penalty for winning two starts back in Aintree when benefiting from the fall of Farren Glory. That’s obviously strong form, but the horse I like is PERSONAL AMBITION. He was impressive first time out this season at Warwick, when beating Jingko Blue and while he disappointed two starts back on heavy ground in Sandown, he bounced back impressively in Doncaster last time. I think he’s a horse that’s on the up, and getting five pounds from Jango Baie, he could be value against the favourite.

The Morebattle Hurdle (2:50pm) is a very competitive race. Black Hawk Eagle has won his last two, but he’s stepping up from Class 3 and 4 hurdles, so I feel this will require more from him. UNDER CONTROL beat Iberico Lord in Sandown at the end of last season. She’s had two wind ops since and she was second to Ashroe Diamond in Doncaster last time, which to me makes her proven at a higher level, so she’s the one I’d side with.

MONBEG GENIUS (3:25pm) is a very smart horse. He was third in the old Hennessy at Newbury in December on ground that was probably as good as he would want it, and last season he finished third in the Ultima behind Corach Rambler. He was also well-fancied for the Welsh National before missing that engagement. With his profile, he should be capable of winning a race like this.

Newbury, Saturday

Alan King’s GRANDEUR D’AME is the one I like in the Greatwood Gold Cup (1:55pm). He unseated at the first last time out at Cheltenham but before that had finished fourth behind Fugitif in the December Gold Cup. That was a good run, especially as he was ridden close to the pace, as when you consider how far back the winner came from, you could argue he could have been ridden more efficiently. I think there’s room for improvement on the basis of that. Alan King’s horses seem to have found form again recently and he can go well.

Doncaster, Saturday

JAVA POINT (3:40pm) was a good winner in Sandown last time on his second start since joining Henry Oliver. He built on his first run for the yard there and could do so again now. He travels and jumps well, so I think he should be in with a chance in what is an open race.

Navan, Saturday

Blood Destiny disappointed last time behind SPILLANE’S TOWER (3:48pm) when he just didn’t seem to get home in Punchestown. Coming here, he’s obviously going to miss Cheltenham, which to me wouldn’t reflect massive confidence in him. Spillane’s Tower is a horse on the up and while he does have to give seven pounds away to his rival, I see him as value to oppose the favourite.

This is JOURNEY WITH ME’s (4:23pm) first run back since last spring. He beat Limerick Lace back in March in a Grade 3, and that horse has progressed well since then. Heavy ground wouldn’t look ideal for his main market rival Ash Tree Meadow, while it should play to Journey With Me’s strengths, so he might be able to overcome his long lay-off and win this.