Nick Luck’s William Hil blog: Protektorat the one in the Fleur De Lys

William Hill ambassador Nick Luck previews Sunday’s ITV Racing action from Windsor, Fakenham and Thurles.

Windsor, Sunday

HARPER’S BROOK is the selection in the TV opener on Sunday (1.55) at Windsor. You might think him the unlikeliest contender for consecutive victories, but he couldn’t have designed a better race for himself, with Matata, Sans Bruit, Editeur Du Gite & co all likely to mix it for the early running. Although stablemate Etalon has clear credentials, Harper’s Brook travels and jumps so well through the bulk of the race that this sharp track could really suit.

TITAN DISCOVERY is worth a crack at this trip in the three mile handicap hurdle (2.30). He was quietly progressive all last season, culminating in a 2 length 6th at Cheltenham off a higher mark which was much better than it reads. His comeback was perfectly respectable in itself, but the stable is in much better form now and Liam Harrison knows this horse well.

PROTEKTORAT is the safest option in a race in the Fleur de Lys, a race in which none is especially convincing (3.05). His Huntingdon conqueror Djelo is the move-up horse, but Venetia has had a few run poorly lately and Protektorat will surely be happier going this way round. This trip is just about spot-on and he won’t mind a swinging pace on gluey ground.

FORTUNATE MAN surely has more to give in a really tight stayers’ race (3.40). He was dour in victory at Aintree in testing conditions, and gets cheekpieces here to sharpen him up. If they work, and the trip helps him, he may not have stopped improving.

Fakenham, Sunday

PRETENDING looks to have a very good chance in the Mares’ handicap at Fakenham (2.45). She takes a dip in class for the first time this season, and returns to a trip and ground that are much more suitable. The stable had a smart winner yesterday, and this one can follow suit.

GETBAZOUTOFHERE makes some appeal in the mares’ chase (3.20). Although she’s still off a very low mark, she showed she could cope with this grade the last twice, rattling home from an impossible position at Cheltenham. There is potential for this to be a very strongly run race, which will suit her, and the never-say-die Sean Bowen is likely to be a significant asset.

Thurles, Sunday

APPRECIATE IT might upset his better fancied stablemates in the Horse and Jockey Hotel Chase at Thurles (2.05). He’s not really turned up this season, but you only have to back 3 starts to a run in the Punchestown Gold Cup that would nearly win this. Add to that the likelihood of a more forcing ride (suits) over this intermediate trip, plus a rare opportunity to race on genuinely good ground, and you begin to see quite a compelling bet.