Nick Luck
Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Leger and Irish Champion Stakes Day Tips
William Hill ambassador Nick Luck previews Leger and Irish Champion Stakes Day, with tips from Doncaster, Leopardstown and Chester.
Saturday, Doncaster
GENTLE HURRICANE might be the percentage call in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster (1.45). Although favourite Desert Castle is an exciting prospect, he’s a very short price. The selection achieved plenty in the Acomb (well beaten fourth has won a Group 3 since), and is bred to be very useful himself. If he can switch off a shade better early, he’ll give himself a fighting chance.
THE STRIKIN VIKING is one at a very big price who could easily spark back to life in the Portland (2.20). A smart two year old, and a Group winner last year, his two efforts this time look dismal at first glance. There have been valid excuses, however, and he patently failed to act around Chester. This track and trip will be much more suitable and the handicapper has given him a genuine squeak.
VOLTERRA is an each way play in the Park Stakes (2.55). Gelded since his last run, it may be a blessing in disguise to have swerved all the summer ground, as he likes to just get his toe in and comes here fresh while the others have largely had tough campaigns. He’s run well here before, and could easily do much better than his odds suggest.
CHRISTMAS DAY can become the first horse since Reference Point to add the St Leger to a Derby win (3.35). He stayed on nicely again in the Voltigeur despite looking far from wound up, and that should have brought him well forward. This extra distance looks pretty suitable judged on his profile thus far, and I could see him opening up on this field. Enceladus is likely the biggest danger.
MOONFALL can win another big handicap (4.15). He returns to a mile today, which suited so well at Royal Ascot, and was entitled to need the run off a break the other day, going down only to a real course specialist who was very well in. He’s one of an only a couple of likely improvers in this, and I’m not convinced the handicapper has him just yet.
Saturday, Leopardstown
FALLEN ANGEL looks the overpriced one in the Matron at Leopardstown (3.55). She’s a staying, grinding miler likely to be ridden prominently, and with potentially relatively little company for the front from the principals. She comes fresh after avoiding quick ground, and showed her liking for this track in this race a year ago.
Saturday, Chester
ITV also show two from Chester, where DUBAI HONOUR will be hard to beat, and SPIRIT MIXER can bounce back at his favourite track.
