Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Royal Ascot Day Five Tips

William Hill ambassador Nick Luck previews Day Five of Royal Ascot, giving his best bets for all seven of Saturday’s races.

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Royal Ascot, Saturday

TREANMOR can send a two year old race a different shade of blue in the Chesham (2.30). While Moments of Joy clearly has abundant potential, it was the Godolphin horse that made the bigger impression on debut, quickening away smartly on a sound surface. The runner-up has franked the form somewhat, and he completely demolished him.

AL RIFFA should go really well in the Hardwicke (3.05). He was in deep many times last year, but wasn’t often found wanting for air, and he should always be competitive at this level when conditions are in his favour. That was a most encouraging effort in France, while leaving the impression that a return to this distance and the application of headgear would be a major plus.

SATONO REVE is a confident shout to win the QEII Jubilee (3.40). He and Lazzat are the best horse in the race, but he owns more speed, and should love the slick surface. There are precious few horses in. Here that could hold a candle to Ka Ying Rising, but this chap has given it a good go more than once, and can give Japan a first Royal Ascot winner.

BRIAN is one at big odds who could surprise a few and run a big race in the Jersey (4.20). Granted there are more obvious contenders, but he’s not a million miles away on ratings, and posted a lovely effort on his stable debut in the Pavilion, all the while suggesting that he is now more than ready for a return to this distance. His run in the Chesham last year offers yet more hope.

MORE THUNDER looks to boast very solid credentials in the Wokingham (5.00). A strong improver for a step back to six furlongs this season for a new yard, he should find this stiffer track even more to his liking. What is more, he looks to have been given a handy draw from which to pick up the pieces late.

GLEN TO GLEN looks of serious interest in the Golden Gates (5.35). Ex-Jim Bolger, he makes his debut for Joseph O’Brien, and figures to move forward. Even allowing for that, a reproduction of his latest effort at Leopardstown would see him well in the mix: Serious Contender, who beat him only a length that day, ran an absolute screamer in the circumstances here on Thursday. He remains completely unexposed over this trip and can run very well.

KING OF THE ROAD is a completely wild selection in the finale, but there are actually solid grounds for thinking he can finish in the three (6.10). Favourite Sober is yet to encounter anything much other than soft ground, while – Samui aside – there are precious few in here who could be called cast iron stayers. This is quite a thin edition of the race, and the selection is a more than capable hurdler on a sound surface, particularly effective when the pace is honest.