Nick Luck’s Racing League blog: It’s a Countdown strategy

Week Two of the Racing League, and I am having another valiant attempt at a challenging, yet potentially rewarding, card.

I’m building my fortunes around a “one from the top and any other five, please, Carol” strategy, which will be made or broken by tonight’s top selection, SUNNINGDALE, in the nursery at 11/4 (6.10pm). The word before Goodwood was that the Coles might have a well-handicapped one on their hands, but the ground went too quick for him to run and he reappears on the synthetic tonight. He was thought good enough to run at Royal Ascot, while horses behind him at Newbury have come out and won decent enough maidens and novices, suggesting his mark of 79 is more than fair, particularly granted this extra furlong.

The others I like tonight are:

STREET KID at 8/1 (5.10pm), who reappears after an absence, but just one pound higher than his last win. He saves a bit for himself, but remains somewhat unexposed on the all weather for an excellent stable.

HONKY TONK MAN at 7/2 (5.40pm), has been a little bit anonymous in two runs this year, but should appreciate this drop in class and a return to this surface.

THEY DON’T KNOW at 4/1 (6.40pm), was rather unlucky not to win at Kempton the other day, having arguably got to the front too soon. There’s less danger of that here, and he’s ridden by last week’s hero Sean Levey.

LIFE ON THE ROCKS at 14/1 (7.10pm), needs a finesse ride, so step forward Jamie Spencer to deliver the goods at a price. 10 furlongs around here will be just the job and expect him to be the last one off the bridle.

COUNTRY PYLE at 4/1 (8.10pm), is now ready for a step up to this sort of distance, has Frankie Dettori in the saddle and both of his siblings (including Pyledriver) have been successful on the all-weather. Big chance.