Nick Luck
Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Carlisle and Beverley Tips
William Hill ambassador Nick Luck previews Saturday’s ITV action from Carlisle and Beverley.
Saturday, Carlisle
ROGUE MILLIONS might be the answer to the TV opener at Carlisle on Saturday (1.30). Opportunity is a favourite that I have a lot of time for, but there is simply no juice at all in his price and I’d rather take a chance on – and bet each way – a horse who looked really smart when winning the Cumberland Plate here last year, and who may yet be quite well treated. He’s been gelded and moved stables since his last run, and this well-bred individual is reunited with his rider that day, Rossa Ryan.
NATIVE HONEY is an intriguing runner in the sprint handicap (2.00). He hasn’t really had much of a chance at this trip, but his wins for this stable have been travelling strongly over an easy seven furlongs, and it’s interesting that they have chosen this departure in distance as the moment to step up in class, particularly with the yard’s useful apprentice taking over. He might just be about to take on a whole new lease of life.
WASHINGTON HEIGHTS could be the way forward in a very tricky looking Achilles Stakes (2.33). He hasn’t offered a great deal of late, and it’s possible they are looking at a decent handicap down the track with his tumbling mark, but this might not take a great deal of winning, and I’m looking forward to seeing if he’s ridden forward again over stiff five. If he is, he could easily be the controlling speed here and take a bit of pegging back.
SHARPEN makes some each way appeal in the Lester Piggott (3.10). Current connections (who directed the early career of Via Sistina) forked out 360,000 for her in the winter, and she’s bred to do a good bit better as an older filly and over a distance of ground. The track should suit her well, and the booking of William Buick suggests a degree of purpose.
PRINCLING was the suggestion for the Silver Bowl a week ago (3.45), and I don’t see any obvious reason to change my mind on this different track. The thought remains that he’s been let in pretty lightly on his two runs from last season.
Saturday, Beverley
URBAN GLIMPSE can get back on track in the first of three televised races from Beverley (1.45). His handicap form last year was pretty smart, and he ran fine on his seasonal debut, looking to need the run, but not caving in when beaten. This will be a whole lot easier, and it will be disappointing if he can’t outclass this lot.
THE RESDEV ROMAN is taken to outrun huge odds in the Hilary Needler (2.15). She ran in a valuable novice against colts first time out at York, running a massive race. She was a little keen early and ultimately ran out of gas late, but she had them all off the bridle with a furlong to run, despite racing on the wrong part of the track. She’s back against her own sex here, and can at least give us a run for our money at a price.
MATTEO might be up to conceding the small penalty in the 2yo Trophy (2.48). His debut form was early season fare, but the manner of his win was pretty striking, he looked very tractable near the lead, and he has the best of the draw once again.
PALMAR BAY looks ripe and ready for a big run in the feature race at Chester (3.30). He was really good on his only run here last year, and looks to have emerged a potentially improved horse again judged on a solid comeback effort behind a top class horse. Nothing of that nature to fear here, and he’s drawn well enough too.
