Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Shergar Cup and Haydock Preview

William Hill ambassador Nick Luck previews Saturday’s ITV Racing action from Ascot and Haydock.

Saturday, Ascot

BADRI looks poised for a big effort in the Shergar Cup opener on Saturday (1.35pm). He has some serious form at the track, including recently, and is much lower in the handicap than for his last win here. Unlucky not to get closer to Jordan Electrics on his stable debut, he can put it all together again now.

STRUTH is on a long losing streak, but can do much better in the Stayers’ (2.10pm). Generally good at Ascot, he finished a mighty second in the middle distance event on this card last year, and continues to shape as though he needs a proper trip. The yard is starting to go quite well, and he’s had a little break to freshen up.

SET POINT gets the nod in the Challenge (2.45pm). Still somewhat unexposed at this trip, he did well to prevail under an inexperienced rider last time, for which he’s received limited punishment from the handicapper. An extra couple of furlongs looks sure to help, and there should be a good bit more to come on the Flat for this stable.

JARRAAF looks a very solid favourite in the six furlong event (3.20pm). He looked a totally new proposition back to this trip here last time, and should be aiming for pattern races soon enough. The union with Billy Loughnane should be a big plus, and it will be disappointing if this doesn’t work out well.

SAM HAWKENS looks an interesting player for his new stable (3.55pm). Promising early for Richard Hannon, he’s been moved on quickly, but not cheaply. In shrewd hands now, he can take advantage of a more patient ride under a jockey who is worth a pound or two at this venue.

BOPEDRO can finally get his head in front in the finale (4.30pm). There have been clear signs of a revival lately, most notably from an ordinary draw at Goodwood , and the strongish pace here should suit well. He appears to need a good test at the trip, and that looks likely.

Saturday, Haydock

HELM ROCK can lift the telly opener at Haydock (2.25pm). He’s been threatening to get involved, but has no luck at all the last twice. He generally comes good at this time of year.

BRACKEN’S LAUGH remains a horse of significant potential and can take the Rose of Lancaster (3.00pm). A smooth travelling and talented performer, he arguably should have won the Dee Stakes, when still finishing in front of his Ascot conqueror Jayarebe. His effort rather flattened out at Ascot, suggesting something amiss, and a breathing op may go some way to explaining that. Given that Anmaat returns from serious injury, and Al Mubhir may want a little more cut in the ground, it could pay to side with the potential big improver.

NAOMI LAPAGLIA has claims at a price in the Dick Hern (4.45pm). Very well backed in the moments before her last start, she ran a mighty race to be third behind the smart Friendly Soul. Furthermore, she might have run the winner a good bit closer if she’d been a little handier to the pace in a tempo led affair. A sister to the very useful Rogue Millennium, she is capable of better still, and can enjoy the perfect ground saving trip from a good draw here.

LIBERALISED could run a fair bit better than her price in the Sweet Solera at Newmarket (3.40pm). Although it’s hard at first glance to see how she finishes closer to Mountain Breeze, another watch of the Duchess of Cambridge confirms the selection was always finding life happening a bit quick for her, yet – having threatened to disappear completely – she stayed on really quite powerfully through the final furlong, galloping out well upsides today’s rival. The extra furlong should bring them closer together, and she must be a play at these odds.