Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Cherie a d’Am good Towton bet

William Hill ambassador Nick Luck picks out his best bets from Saturday’s ITV races from Ffos Las, Fairyhouse, Chelmsford and Newcastle.

Ffos Las, Saturday

CHERIE D’AM can make her allowance tell in the rerouted Towton (1:15pm) at Ffos Las. She looked in tremendous nick at Warwick last time, quickening clear of some smart mares, and travelled well enough in pretty filthy conditions at Aintree last season to suggest this sort of test will suit. She’ll be up there on the pace, which is handy round here, and will be fully tuned up.

JESUILA DES MOTTES might be one of the better bets of the day in the second division of a very modest handicap hurdle (2:25pm). You could argue she’s shaped a fair bit better than this grade all in three starts over hurdles, and was particularly unfortunate not to be within hailing distance of a subsequent Henderson Listed winner at Lingfield two starts back. The ground should be ok, and it will be disappointing if she can’t cut it in this company.

ALAN DE BANKS looks a nice each-way bet in the staying handicap hurdle (2:58pm). He had some fair bumper form – while always looking a stayer – and has run creditably in two hurdles since. Bangor was too sharp last time, but the handicapper has had very limited evidence to give him a mark, and might be in for a surprise now that this horse gets three miles, a gallop to run at, plus Sean Bowen taking over.

BEAT BOX can make it seven from eight for Dan Skelton (3:31pm). If anything, he looked even more impressive off his highest ever mark last time and while the handicapper has had another crack this is not a brilliant race of its type. His main market rival has been beating very limited opposition around sharp right-handed tracks on good ground, while the rest are largely inconsistent or lights of former years.

Fairyhouse, Saturday

MIDNIGHT IT IS might be the one for the Dan and Joan Moore Memorial (1:45pm) at Fairyhouse. One of several in here for Gavin Cromwell, he was deeply impressive off a break at Navan before Christmas, gliding more effortlessly up that stiff finish than you would normally expect. This is harder, but the runner-up that day has scooted in since, while he’s won here already and won’t mind genuine winter ground. He looks to hold a big chance.

Chelmsford, Saturday

HALIPHON might get his turn in the TV opener at Chelmsford (1:30pm). He’s a grand old schoolmaster for young jockeys and in novelty races, but gets a fully fledged pro in Cieren Fallon this time, and is in a realistic race off a nice mark (won off just 1lb lower in September). He’s only run here once – and ran very well – and the trip should be ideal nowadays.

RAVENSBOURNE might be another Chelmsford winner for Fallon (2:10pm). She has shown improved form for her capable new yard of late, and this is an easier race than the one in which she finished a good third at Newcastle. She won’t mind a slightly less demanding seven furlongs either.

TEMPUS isn’t straightforward nor is he predictable, but he might be the answer to a tricky mile heat (2:40pm). He’s tumbling down the weights, and hasn’t at all been favoured by the run of the race the last twice, prior to which he produced a really nice effort under this experienced apprentice.

SANAT has plenty of upside in the sprint (3:15pm). This is a warm enough contest for him, but he ran a lovely race first up for connections, who often strike second time with their acquisitions from other stables. Earlier form behind Kind Of Blue suggests there might be a decent bit of wriggle room off this mark.

Newcastle, Saturday

LERWICK is well worth another try at 10 furlongs in the first of the two TV races at Newcastle (2:00pm). He has plenty of stamina in the pedigree (family of Harzand and Emily Upjohn), but has been a shade keen at the head of affairs over a mile while still running with credit. Now hooded, and unpestered near the front, he could leave that form well behind.

ARANTES NASCIMENTO must have a very decent chance of atoning for his luckless defeat last time later in the afternoon (3:45pm). That was a sizeable step in the right direction after wind surgery, and the handicapper has been pretty kind raising him only two pounds.