Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Conflated has the pace to trouble Bravemansgame

William Hill ambassador Nick Luck casts his expert eye over a feast of Saturday racing from Ascot and Wetherby as well as stateside from the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar.

Ascot, Saturday

WHAT PATH may be able to spring a minor surprise in the TV opener at Ascot on Saturday (1:30pm). I have serious regard for Kieran Burke as a trainer, and I’m intrigued to see what he can do with this ex-Mullins horse. While it is clear he’s not too badly handicapped, the market is largely built on the potential of others. A scan through useful Irish form suggests that What Path is much better going right-handed, is quick enough for the drop in distance, but stout enough to get home.

MASTER CHEWY can defy top-weight in a warm two miler (2:05pm). His novice form is really high class, and there’s no suggestion that his mark flatters him. He has a good rapport with Tom Bellamy, who gives him a bit of a chance in races, and there’s a nice bit of pace here for him to aim at.

RIGHTSOTOM is a very interesting recruit to the Tizzard stable, and is worth a small concern at least in the two-mile hurdle (3:15pm). He was set some tall tasks by previous connections, but ran some notable races at the big festivals – certainly notable enough to think a mark of 126 doesn’t flatter him off a long absence.

CHIANTI CLASSICO looks to have been found the right opportunity in the Sodexo Gold Cup (3:45pm). He loves it here, has scope to do better still this year, and wants to be getting his big race in off this mark before the ground turns against him. This has been a plan for a while.

Wetherby, Saturday

WILLIAM CODY gets the nod a trappy little race to kick us off at Wetherby (1:15pm). Most off these have some sort of chance, but I’ll play a straight bat with a horse who has loads of course form, can run well fresh, is largely consistent, and performs well for this jockey.

ROYAL EAGLE must have a shot at upsetting some of the seasonal debutantes in the Mares’ Hurdle (1:50pm). She is in fine fettle, getting better all the time, and appears to be thriving on racing. She’ll enjoy the ground, and will have the sort of race-fitness edge that could offset her being somewhat wrong at the weights.

KATEIRA must have good claims in a race that Dan Skelton has won twice in the last four years (2:22pm). Progressive before landing a serious gamble at Aintree, she confirmed there that she is a strong enough traveller to be taken really seriously in Graded company. While another nudge forward is needed, she should simply prove too upwardly mobile.

CONFLATED is always an overpriced horse, and can win the Charlie Hall (2:58pm). This track will suit him really well judged on past exploits, and his best is arguably just as good as Bravemansgame. Neither is likely to be improving, but Conflated has that bit of pace that enabled his excellent second to Jonbon in the Melling, and that could prove telling.

GOBLET OF FIRE is a confident pick to win the handicap hurdle (3:32pm). After a productive spell on the Flat, he excelled back over timber at Southwell. The handicapper has had a crack, but nowhere near enough given the ease of that victory.

Del Mar, Saturday

ITV will be showing three races from Del Mar tomorrow night. I find it hard to oppose the mighty THORPEDO ANNA in the Distaff (8:21pm), for all the Japanese fillies add significant interest.

In the Turf (9:01pm), JAYAREBE is the pick. I think he is drawn to get the perfect trip, and this sharp improver could get first run.

All eyes will be on City of Troy in the Classic (9:41pm) and, while I’m more positive about his chances than most, he is a terrible price. I hope he wins, but my betting interest on the day will centre around using ARTHUR’S RIDE, trained by a master of his craft and with valid excuses for a dull effort last time.