Nick Luck
Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Imperial Cup Day Tips
William Hill ambassador Nick Luck previews today’s action from Sandown and Wolves, with the Imperial Cup taking centre stage.
Sandown, Saturday
WOLF WALKER looks a very interesting proposition in a typically spicy EBF Final that kicks off Sandown’s traditional pre-Cheltenham jamboree (1.50). He was quite a smart pointer, so he has clearly been marking time pottering around sharp tracks over two miles, all the while acquiring a fairly low mark. His second to Morebattle winner Captain Hugo makes him look nicely treated, and the point form strongly suggests any further drying of the ground will help. The yard seems to be flying, too.
TOP JIMMY is a ridiculous price in the Imperial Cup (2.27). Nigel Twiston-Davies won this race with Flying Angel (as a novice) and Mr Antolini, and brings easily the least exposed horse into this. Top Jimmy is a free-goer with strong form, who looks to have been screaming for a drop back to this distance. He looks very fairly treated both on his early season form at Uttoxeter and his third here to No Drama This End, and I’d be hopeful of a bold show.
KAMILLE AU KANADA appears an intriguing rules newcomer in the Listed mares’ bumper (3.00). The stable is excellent in these, and the jockey booking wouldn’t put you off. Add that she has the highest Irish point rating of any of them, and she starts to make a bit of appeal at these odds. She should stay well.
TUNE IN A BOX gets the vote in the feature chase (3.35). He’s well handicapped nowadays after some ordinary efforts, but he showed much more zip last time, and is well worth another try a three miles. It’s worth noting that nearly all his runs have been left handed, but his form this way round reads 411.
Wolverhampton, Saturday
BADRI can run well in the sprint handicap at Wolverhampton (2.05). It all happened a bit too quickly over 5fs for him last time, but he’s generally been in good heart, and I can see him ridden much closer to the speed from a decent draw. He’s down in class, is closely matched with Silky Wilkie (yet twice the price), and gets on well with Jason Hart. He’s only run here twice, but has run well both times.
FIRST AMBITION is an each way play in the Lincoln Trial (2.42). He might find one or two a bit classy, but he’s fit and in good form judged on his latest run, when he looked like a much more sustained gallop would suit. He gets that here, and the extra half furlong shouldn’t hurt either. He’s out of the stable’s superstar Laurens, so you’d hope there’s a bit more to come.
PRINCE OF INDIA could easily have more to give this season (3.15). He was really progressive last year, only succumbing in the swamp at Ascot in a rough race. He’s acted well round here before, and – bar the favourite – looks the one with potential to be out of this grade pretty quickly.
