Nick Luck’s blog: Nine tips on a marathon Sunday

A super Saturday for racing fans as the Dublin Racing Festival continues.

Nick Luck has delved deep in the form book and has nine selections…

Leopardstown

FURY ROAD looks lovely value at 8/1 (and an each way bet if they all stand their ground) in the Grade One Novice that kicks off ITV4’s Sunday show from the Dublin Racing Festival (1.20). While Galopin des Champs is clearly a serious prospect, he has won a beginners’ chase, whereas the selection won a Grade One in some style, looking a different horse for headgear and Jack Kennedy.

DUNVEGAN is worth a very small play in the Dublin Chase at 16/1, just in case Chacun Pour Soi has another off day on his return from injury (1.50). Clearly the favourite should win cosily if he’s at his best, but I’m never keen to back him at really skinny odds. With his below par run, I’m not sure the Tingle Creek took much winning, and therefore I’d rather side with the most in-form horse and one who dished out a good beating to a pretty solid horse in Blackbow last time.

THE SHUNTER can return to winning ways in the big handicap at 15/2 (2.25). Brilliantly placed by Emmet Mullins last year, he thrived on a sound surface off a strong pace. He ran really well off a beak at this fixture last year when having to make most of his own running and is still on a reasonable mark judged on his graded form.

SAINT ROI is not unfeasible to shock Honeysuckle in the Irish Champion Hurdle at 10/1 (3.00). He has always been held in serious regard, but last season was a bit disappointing after a promising start. There was, however, quite a bit to like about the way he travelled and jumped on his comeback, looking like he’d come on quite a bit. He’s a fast horse, whose speed might play well in a likely tactical affair. It is worth bearing in mind Honeysuckle’s least impressive effort came in this race on a sound surface two years ago.

COLONEL MUSTARD is an each way bet at 14/1 against Sir Gerhard in the Novices Hurdle (3.35). No doubt Sir Gerhard is a machine, but double figure odds about the selection are simply too big given plenty of graded form, his ability to wind up smartly off a strong gallop and his sound jumping. He looks more the finished article this year and can run a bold race.

Musselburgh

INCA PRINCE can win the Scottish Triumph Hurdle at 11/4, the first of four ITV4 races at Musselburgh (1.32). He could just do with switching off a shade, but he was pretty impressive in beating fair horses here last month and could take a bit of pegging back.

RESTANDBETHANKFUL is not an unreasonably priced favourite at 7/4 in the Scottish Supreme (2.05). He looked most at home on a fast right-handed track at Huntingdon, coming nicely clear of an easy subsequent winner. He has plenty of experience now and this looks a good spot for him.

RATFACEMCDOUGALL looks one of the likelier ones in the Pertemps Qualifier at 10/1 (2.40). He was most impressive here last year before following up off a higher mark than this. He’s cycling back to form and wants to be going close here to get in to the final.

FANZIO is the choice at 9/2 in a really tough Scottish Champion Chase (3.15). He has something of the night about him, but he’s a really able horse on his day and that day quite often coincides with the booking of Brian Hughes. He’s well treated on his thumping of Sao at Perth last year and will really appreciate the return to better ground.