Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Cathedral can stand tall in Sun Chariot

William Hill ambassador Nick Luck previews a busy Saturday’s action from Ascot, Newmarket and Redcar. 

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Saturday, Ascot

SUNFALL looks way too big a price in the Ascot TV opener on Saturday (1.15). She’s comparable to most on ratings, won this last year under similar conditions, and can be credited with far better than the bare result last time. Surely her huge price won’t last.

CANDY can brook the minor class rise in the Rous Stakes (1.50). His Silver Cup win was utterly dominant on deep ground, in a faster time than the Gold equivalent despite being disadvantaged by the draw. This is a horse moving forward at a rate, and this won’t be much harder given how well that form is working out.

TENABILITY looks the pick in the Cumberland Lodge (2.25). Although his grand old stablemate Hamish is a mighty beast at this level, there is a chance he gets a bit softened by plenty of other pace, notably the equally admirable Al Qareem. That might just tee it up perfectly for the selection, who glided round here on soft last time, and who remains open to quite a bit more.

QUINAULT looks a big enough price in the Bengough (3.00). He’s ostensibly a toughish task under a penalty, but you’ll need a good seven furlong horse to get home here in these conditions, and there’s a fair chance he could out gallop them from the front. He’s pretty versatile ground-wise, and has won here.

THUNDER ROAR looks backable again in the Challenge Cup (3.35). Granted, this is tougher than the Ayr race that he won, but he’s up only four for absolutely bolting up, has shown bags of form here, and loves the ground. He’ll be on the bridle much longer than most.

Saturday, Newmarket

WONDER STAR is well worth another go in the fillies’ handicap at Newmarket (1.30). She ran a lovely race at Goodwood, going down only just to a subsequent stakes winner. She looks well treated on that, and can be readily excused a dull effort on a slick surface at York. This looks the right race.

JEL PEPPER looks quite a big price in the valuable auction race (2.05). His third in the July Stakes has worked out pretty smartly given the subsequent exploits of Zavateri and Brussels, and he has had zero luck in two sales races. He’ll handle slow ground very well, and could yet prove a bit classier than these.

CATHEDRAL is a bit of a flyer in the Sun Chariot (2.40). This is a bit of a stretch, but I’ve been really encouraged by her gradual progression as she’s kept being chucked in deep. A stern test at this trip looks just what she wants, and she really hasn’t masses to find with the principals. An each way bet at the very least.

Saturday, Redcar

ARDISIA gets the vote again in the William Hill Two Year Old Trophy at Redcar (3.20). He’s not really looked back since being gelded and getting a feel of some easier ground again, thriving with racing at all the big shows. I loved his enthusiasm in the mud at Ayr, hitting the line hard, and he’s up to a race like this now.