Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Hoping for a Royal winner of the Old Rowley Cup

Newmarket, Friday

PRINCE OF PILLO is a solid favourite at 6/4 in the Cornwallis that opens up Newmarket’s Future Champions’ Weekend (1.50pm). He was impressive returned to a sound surface at Ayr and, even when behind chief rival Crispy Cat at Doncaster on soft, was a bit unfortunate not to be closer. He has coped with the undulations of Ripon well enough, so should be fine here.

LOSE YOURSELF can continue her trainer’s good run with juveniles in the Oh So Sharp (2.25pm) at 4/1. Although there is a fair standard to aim at here, she showed a nice blend of pace and stamina to win on her debut, form which has been franked by runner-up and fourth, and in quite some style. She looked pretty professional first up and might just see the race out better than the Rockfel third.

PURPLEPAY is risky but interesting at 11/1 in the Challenge Stakes (3.00pm). A very expensive purchase last winter, she hasn’t quite cut the mustard this year, but her best run was over a sharp mile, and she’s well worth a try back at this trip, particularly as it will be a well run race with Pogo and Oscula in opposition. Clearly stablemate Sacred is the one to beat on her Newbury romp, but that was out of keeping with the remainder of her efforts this season, and I’d rather take six times the odds about a very talented filly.

NOVAKAI is my each-way pick in the Fillies’ Mile (3.35pm). I love Commissioning, but not at such skinny odds, and the selection has loads of scope to improve. I thought she ran a screamer in the May Hill, really doing much the best of those who raced up with the strong pace, and undone only late on. With more economy of effort here, she could be right in the mix under William Buick at 14/1.

EDUCATOR might be the answer to the Old Rowley Cup (4.10pm) at 13/2. He’s quite lazy – hence the cheekpieces – but he’s ahead of the handicapper in my view, and might just be further ahead with this step up in trip. Time will show that he was attempting the impossible behind Okeechobee at Salisbury last time, and it’s interesting that connections are wheeling him back quite quickly as he was entitled to need that run.

Chepstow, Friday

THE MIGHTY DON will break your heart but now might be the time to catch him at Chepstow (1.35pm) at 9/2. He defeated Enrilo at this meeting and should have beaten Yala Enki three back at Cheltenham. We know he tosses away his chance with the rigidity of his jumping technique, but he is way better – indeed very well-handicapped – on genuinely good or good to firm ground. With over handicapped horses from the summer and one or two who’ll have other targets in mind, this could be his day.