Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Dragon Symbol’s time has come

There’s a cracking card at the Curragh on day two of Irish Champions Weekend, while there is the Sunday Series at Haydock to enjoy as well.

Nick Luck has cast his eye over it all.

Haydock

MODULAR MAGIC can bounce back from a lacklustre effort by winning the first of the Sunday Series races at Haydock on ITV4 (4.10pm) at 5/1. It seems pretty clear now that soft ground is no good to this horse, but – back on a sounder surface – there is no reason why the progression shouldn’t resume. Oisin McSweeney is a huge plus in a race restricted to apprentices.

ANDRONICUS BEAU is a very big price at 25/1 to win the sprint handicap (4.35pm). He has just had his second wind operation and it is notable that he won first time off a layoff when similar surgery was performed before. He actually didn’t run too badly last time over a sharp enough trip for him and this looks the right spot for a stable that excels here.

FLAMING LORD has really sound claims in the 2yo race over seven furlongs (5.30pm) at 15/2. He has been coming along nicely, but was arguably stretched last time over an extended mile on soft. Harry Eustace has his horses in excellent form, and this can be another winner for the upwardly mobile trainer.

LIBERATION POINT surely has more to offer in the middle distance handicap (6.25pm). Sold out of Richard Fahey’s yard after two perfectly promising runs, he made a really taking debut for Mick Appleby, giving a stack of weight to a progressive three-year-old. The distant third has franked the form with an excellent effort since, and Liberation Point looks well treated at 15/2.

Curragh

DRAGON SYMBOL may finally get his Group One desserts in the Flying Five (2.55pm) at 7/2. His consistency for a three-year-old at the top level, having not raced last year, is quite extraordinary, and there must be a chance that this stiffer track will enable him to make more of a race of it with Winter Power, who was well beaten the only time she left her beloved York this season.

DISCOVERIES might be the value in the Moyglare (3.30pm), particularly given the irresistible form of the stable. She quite possibly sat a bit too far out of her ground behind Agartha last time, but – as a full sister to Alpha Centauri – there is every chance the surface was too soft for her. Either way, she remains highly promising at 9/1.

DUKE DE SESSA (8/1) is a bit of a hunch-play in the National Stakes (4.05pm), and I would prefer a few showers, but he could scarcely have been more impressive. He needs a decent step forward to better Point Lonsdale, Native Trail and Ebro River, but I have doubts about the stamina of the last two at this top level, while the undoubtedly impressive favourite has faced soft fields the last twice.