Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Ascot and Haydock Saturday Preview

William Hill ambassador Nick Luck previews Saturday’s racing from Ascot and Haydock.

Ascot, Saturday

JUNGLE BOOGIE gets the nod in a very tight race to kick off the TV action from Ascot (1.50). He has performed to a remarkably high standard given his relative inexperience, with his excellent Gold Cup run a particular highlight. A cut back in distance could easily suit him, while further dampening of conditions will also be in his favour.

BEAUPORT is of real interest at a big price in the Long Walk hurdle (2.25). Although this is presumably a ploy so as not to risk further compromising his mark for the Grand National, connections have found themselves in a Grade One where he is by no means out of his depth. He was more than useful as a hurdler three seasons back, and it is reasonable to assume that he has made significant improvement, switch to fences notwithstanding. If you trust him to reproduce his seasonal debut, he should be right amongst them on ratings. He’s likely to be the controlling speed here, and could be pretty hard to pass, particularly if the ground softens. His record going right handed is 1221521.

THE CHANGING MAN looks a likely candidate in the Silver Cup (3.00). One of relatively few with a sharply progressive profile, he travelled like a horse that needed following when rather unfortunate not to win the Rehearsal Chase last time. There are at least four signed on front runners in this, and my feeling is that the selection is a horse that needs the race to collapse in front of him to be seen to best effect, a set-up that looks quite feasible here. The jockey booking looks interesting, too.

STEEL ALLY will be taking some each way support in the Ascot closer (3.35). Although conceding weight to the smart placed horses from the Greatwood looks a stiff task at first glance, there’s a chance his Haydock win has been underestimated, while his Ffos Las run behind stablemate Lump Sum backs up the idea that he’s still not badly treated. He’s super tough, jumps well, won’t mind any more rain, and will see this out well from a prominent position. There must be a chance that he can gradually grind the finish out of the flashier types.

Haydock, Saturday

CREDO is quite a confident pick in the Tommy Whittle at Haydock (2.05). Ten pounds better with favourite Famous Bridge from their meeting in this last year, he then has a further 10 pounds off his back with the rider’s claim. Chad Bament already has a big Saturday winner to his name this season, and Credo ran a fair bit better than it looked in a much better race here last month.

JILAIJONE has a decent opportunity to keep moving up in the two mile handicap (2.40). Although double entered at Hereford, this looks a better spot. Many will point to his being something of a serial loser, but he’s looked more straightforward all round this season, doing especially well against a thrown-in rival at Warwick when mixing it quite hard early in the race.