Nick Luck’s blog: Picks from Newmarket & Cheltenham

Newmarket

ELWASME might be worth a small interest at 13/2 in the TV opener at Newmarket on Wednesday (1.50pm). The recent Southwell fourth looks a little better in light of runner-up Covey’s romp on Tuesday afternoon, but the more pertinent issue is the step up in trip and a feel of easy turf underfoot, which pedigree suggests will suit well. This horse could be a nice slow-burner, but I expect him to get involved off this mark.

APHELIOS could have some upside in the sprint handicap (2.25pm) at 15/2. He needs to kick up another gear, but he’s one of the few with potential to do that this year, and I was quite impressed with how he came on at the end of the season when teamed up with Cieren Fallon and ridden slightly handier to the pace. He should get a nice stalking trip here, and the track will play to his strong-travelling nature.

BLANCHLAND (4/1) looks the safest option in a Fielde (3.00pm)n that could go anyone’s way. I was pretty impressed with his effort in the Zetland here last year, and he certainly didn’t look as though he’d be inconvenienced by coming back a furlong. The well beaten third has come out this season to give that form an authentic look, while the draw looks pretty favourable into the bargain.

KARSAVINA is an each-way pick at 14/1 in the Nell Gwyn (3.35pm). Again, there are loads of possibilities here, but this filly is from a family that is one of the best the trainer has handled – the talented Zonderland and Positivity being its two most notable members. As a daughter of Ulysses, she should make significant strides this season, and has been earmarked for a Guineas trial by her stable since the autumn.

Cheltenham

DEYRANN DE CARJAC might be the most infuriating horse in training, but he might just have found the perfect opportunity to end his three and a half year losing run in the feature at Cheltenham (1.30pm) at 8/1. Decent ground and relative freshness have always been the key, but this is also a rather calmer affair than he’s used to, and he might just get a bit of confidence.