Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Like the sound of Percussion in the Becher

Aintree

SAM BROWN was where the pin eventually landed in a really tricky Many Clouds Chase at Aintree on Saturday (1.30pm) at 9/1. Of course, it could be a dead straightforward race if the real Ahoy Senor shows up, but the market is very trusting and I’m not playing him at those prices. So, rather than chancing the chancy Chantry House, the somewhat unproven Sounds Russian or the slight enigma that is National winner Noble Yeats, I’m tempted by a horse who will enjoy the track, is in the form of his life (Charlie Hall form looks good now) and is so low-mileage he’s got to be a potential improver.

PERCUSSION makes quite a lot of appeal at 16/1 in the Becher Chase (2.05pm). He’s pretty unexposed and took a massive step forward in the Sefton over these fences. He’s seven pounds better off for eight lengths with Gesskille yet is eight times the price. In addition, it is hardly as though he was plugging on from the back – he was at the sharp end throughout – and there is a very strong chance that the extra distance will suit.

KNIGHT IN DUBAI looks the answer to the handicap chase (2.40pm) at 6/1. He’s looking really well treated now on his old form, having raced pretty sparingly the last couple of years, but there was easily enough in his Bangor comeback to think he was ready to strike. The better ground is likely to suit, and – in contrast to favourite Riders Onthe Storm – he normally steps forward for a run.

BENSON can get at least a slice of the money in the concluding handicap hurdle (3.15pm). There are more obvious winners, but he’s a really interesting horse on his old form, and there have definitely been signs that he’s building back to a big effort for his new trainer on just his third start for the yard. Brian Hughes assuming control is clearly a positive, so 11/1 could be very generous.

Sandown

JONBON looked most assured brushing aside a couple of meaningful rivals at Warwick, and I see no obvious reason to look past him in the Henry VIII at Sandown (1.45pm). I respect Boothill enormously, but it would be a surprise if the favourite (1/3) was turned over.

FRIEND OR FOE looks of some interest in the two mile handicap hurdle (2.20pm) at 10/1. He did okay over fences last year, but I was never sure he was all that convincing, and I think this could be a better spot for him. He has a big weight, he went very close to beating the useful Guard Your Dreams off just a pound or two lower a couple of years back at this track, and he shouldn’t have notably deteriorated.

GREANETEEN is the play at 15/8 in the Tingle Creek (2.55pm). The market is now heavily favouring Shishkin off the back of bullish reports and you don’t have to possess an elephantine memory to recall his thumping the selection at Kempton last Christmas. But Greaneteen has improved a bit since then, will have every screw turned for this at a track where he excels, and he might just have the edge. It may be that his MOT has curbed Shiskin’s tendency to jump left, but it may cost him more down the quick back straight here than it might elsewhere.

REVELS HILL must take a mighty amount of beating in the London National (3.30pm). Yes, he’s short at 15/8, but his price if perfectly fair. He is one of very few on the up in this race, has proven form over a marathon trip when beating the useful The Two Amigos last year, and ran into a very smart horse over an inadequate trip at Ascot. He was very lucky to escape with a one pound rise, and has been given an outstanding chance here.