Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Do I State the obvious on this Occasion?

York, Thursday

DESIGNER is taken to land the York opener on Day 2 (1.50pm) at 8/1. A fast improving filly last year, she seemed to run right up to today’s mark when a good fourth in Listed company on her seasonal debut. She’s drawn around the likely speed here, and is a course winner last year, so has plenty going for her.

STATE OCCASION is a massive price at 12/1 in the Middleton (2.25pm), but I might not be able to resist the each-way, particularly if the eight stand their ground. I can’t quite forget how impressive she was when winning at this track at the Ebor meeting and, though that was just a handicap, she had stakes performer written all over her. It seems interesting that breeding oriented connections have kept going with this well bred filly and have managed to secure the services of Ryan Moore

CRUYFF TURN looks ready to cycle back to form in the Hambleton (3.00pm) at 15/2. The defending champion, he has run some ordinary races since, but he’s dribbled his way back down to the right mark, and there was enough in his Thirsk run to encourage. He raced against a notable pace bias that day and really stood no chance. Track, draw and ground all get a tick, and he should go well again.

THE FOXES is surely the bet at a price of 11/2 in the Dante (3.35pm). He has already beaten Flying Honours on the square, and the rest of the market is dominated by flimsy form or perceived potential. This horse is a proven quality animal and must surely improve from his good Craven comeback over this extra distance. Big chance.

SILENT WORDS looks ripe to run a big race in the Westow (4.10pm) at 7/1. Danny Tudhope’s pick of the Clipper horses, this one showed really bright speed and ability when going down narrowly at Hamilton. The way she travelled suggested that this easier track would suit better – indeed, her sibling showed his best form here – and that run should have brought her on.