Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Mystical has the Fighting Fifth Power

William Hill ambassador Nick Luck previews ITV Racing action from Newbury and Newcastle, including the Grade One clash between Sir Gino and Mystical Power in the Fighting Fifth.

Newbury, Saturday

ISSAM gets a narrow vote in the first of the ITV races at Newbury on Saturday (1.54pm). Largely progressive last season, he posted a most encouraging effort in the Welsh Champion Hurdle on his comeback in a race that appears to be working out very well. Granted normal improvement from a seasonal debut on a track that will suit, that should see him competitive off this mark. There are rivals with more scope for rapid ascent, but they are well found in the market, and the selection has some each way juice in his price.

SALVER might just be able to defy a big weight in the Gerry Feilden (2.25pm). Although this can be a tough season for four and five-year-olds going handicapping, he really was right up among the best of his generation last year, and over achieved in the Triumph Hurdle given his relative inexperience and powerful physique. His stable is going really well, and his main market rivals both have little question marks over them – one with a long absence and the other with a bizarre effort on seasonal debut.

KANDOO KID looks to have the right credentials for this year’s Coral Gold Cup (3.00pm). At his best in three tries round this track, his form last season stacks up well as it stands. There are reasons to believe he could be better than that: first, he’s pretty unexposed at a trip and looks for all the world as though he needs it. Secondly, he has had a breathing op in the close season which might enable him to find a few more pounds. His stable has had this in mind a long way out, and he ought to go very well.

PETIT TONNERRE might finally have found the right slot in the Newbury finale (3.35pm). He is starting to look alarmingly well treated on his best form, is miles better off with Imperial Saint on their running at Aintree, and is in much calmer waters than in a good race last time. What’s more, he seems to do an awful lot of his racing around Cheltenham, a track I’m convinced he doesn’t really like. This flatter track should suit much better.

Newcastle, Saturday

MYSTICAL POWER just gets the call in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle (2.10pm). He kept surprising connections last year, and really hit his straps as the pace of his races became stronger and the spring ground came. A decent sized field will help him here, and reports are that he’s improved again. There’s nothing to dislike about Sir Gino, who is evidently a huge talent, but he’ll just need to slick up his hurdling a fraction in senior company, while this was Plan B for him whereas it has always been the selected spot for Mystical Power.

BOWTOGREATNESS is a perfectly fair bet to follow up his recent win in the Rehearsal Chase (3.20pm). A good jumper, he was particularly fluent under a positive ride at Newbury, turning away a promising rival with minimum fuss. He has risen just four pounds, not a hike that sees him out of his comfort zone.