Nick Luck’s Blog: Ready for Drama at Ascot, Haydock and the Curragh

Saturday, Ascot

MICHAELA’S BOY looks a nicely priced live one at 9/1 to kickstart our Shergar Cup highjinks on ITV4 on Saturday (1.35pm). There’s definitely more to come for this yard from this speedy sort, and he ran a lovely race at Royal Ascot on ground that was plenty quick enough for him. He’s knocked in a superb effort at the Curragh since, and Hayley Turner is always worth a pound or two on this track.

PRYDWEN is another at tempting odds of 7/1 in the staying race (2.10pm). He’s been admirably consistent this season, just lacking a gear on occasions, and he might just swing along on the bridle over two miles. George Scott is having an excellent time of things at present, and – with the favourites looking far from solid here – he could just pop up with another big prize.

SCAMPI is the pick in the Challenge (2.45pm) at 9/2. He’s been asked every conceivable question this year, and has rarely let the side down in top handicaps. The simple logic here is that he just needs to run about as well as he has the last twice and he’ll be right in the mix in this easier grade. Max Mayhem and Youthful King should ensure a good tempo for him to run at.

SILENT FILM could be very competitive off his mark in the Mile (3.20pm) at 13/2. You can ignore his last run as he never got any sort of clear passage in Perrotto’s race at Sandown, but he’d shaped quite nicely here in the Buckingham Palace and is lower in the weights than when a good second in a better race here last autumn. He must have sound claims.

RAJASTHAN is quite difficult to oppose in the ‘Classic’ (3.55pm) at 3/1. By Dubawi out of a smart Group 3 winner, he looks sure to improve for a step up in trip, and some of his maiden form (notably behind Cicero’s Gift on easy ground) makes him look reasonably handicapped.

ZAMAN JAMIL gets a chance to atone for his stalls antics last Saturday (4.30pm) which – given the prevailing ground – might just have been a blessing in disguise. He was seriously impressive at Thirsk, really looks the part, and is not done improving – with Quinault such a short price, this in one on the up who just might make him think at 9/1.

Saturday, Haydock

POET MASTER is the choice in the London Mile Qualifier at Haydock (2.25pm) at 9/2. I suppose the handicapper has given him as much as he could, but he absolutely thumped a fair horse here last time and has made a big impression both starts. He’s being kept at a realistic level, and is bred to be pretty decent to boot.

EL DRAMA is a bit of a wild one in the Rose of Lancaster (3.00pm) at 14/1. We all know he’s got plenty of top notch form, but hasn’t really been pinging of late. What interests me here is not only the stable switch (could easily perk him up), but also the idea that he might get an uncontested lead from a good draw.

Saturday, Newmarket

JABAARA is a big price at 17/2 in the Sweet Solera at Newmarket (3.40pm). I was expecting a huge run at Ascot, but never had the run of the green. She can make a case for that here.

Saturday, Curragh

UNQUESTIONABLE is a confident pick at 5/2 to reverse Railway Stakes form with Bucanero Fuerte in the Phoenix at The Curragh (4.40). He found himself a sitting target for Bucanero’s rally last time, but will surely be played last here and can make his turn of foot tell.