Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: William Hill / MNDA Great St Wilfrid Day Tips

William Hill ambassador Nick Luck previews Saturday’s ITV action from Ripon, Newbury and Newmarket

Saturday, Newbury

EPIC POET is the percentage call in the Geoffrey Freer, the TV opener at Newbury this afternoon (1.50). Highest rated of these, consistency at this sort of trip against this calibre opposition is a strong point. Nearly all his best form has come on flat tracks running left handed, and should feel suitably comfortable in that respect today. He sets a decent standard for the more eye catching three year olds to aim at.

STAR CHORUS has been found a good opportunity in the sprint handicap (2.25). His form has been a bit patchy, but there were encouraging signs even in a luckless defeat at Goodwood. There were also signs that day that he might ultimately be more comfortable covered up and delivered late. Several blazing front runners may enable the perfect passage here.

CLASSIC still has plenty of upside, and can record a first victory at the track after several attempts (3.00). I’m not sure he’ll ever be the hardiest in the heat of battle, but he’s been a completely different proposition since ridden really positively, and travelled supremely back to this trip at Ascot last time. A higher mark is not an issue in this grade, and he’ll at least be right there.

KING’S GAMBLE is the clear pick in the Hungerford (3.35). He’s never run badly, for all he’s evidently not the easiest to keep right, and posted a massively encouraging effort in the Hackwood on his comeback. I don’t think he’d have a problem trying six furlongs again, but he’ll surely be more comfortable back at seven today, and this looks absolutely the right race.

Saturday, Newmarket

EZRA CEE is well worth a try at a big price in the Grey Horse race at Newmarket (2.05). He’s now on his fourth trainer, but this outfit has shown more than once that it can do the job really well, and evidence points to catching this horse first time out. The ability is all there, and he’s well handicapped if he can put it together. The rider has also had a productive season, and the five pound claim adds another small edge in a tight race.

Saturday, Ripon

FORTAMOUR is taken to score again at his beloved Ripon (2.45). He’s been tremendously well trained to win six times here, and has gone in the last twice he came here with a mark in the 70s. He should be very comfortable down in this grade, and another big run must be on the cards.

SUPREME KING is the pick in the William Hill / MNDA Great St Wilfrid (3.20). Although it’s a bit of a stretch of the imagination, it’s fair to say he’s not really had the rub of the green the last few starts, and has gently slid down to a decent mark without appearing to have regressed at all. He likes a slightly unconventional track, and might have won the consolation race last year if he’d been drawn on the right side. He’s an interesting each way shout.