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Nick Luck

Nick Luck’s blog: Seas can Master the Joel Stakes

2 years ago
| BY News Team

An interesting looking card on day two of the Cambridgeshire meeting at Newmarket, with plenty of intriguing contests, including a fascinating-looking Joel Stakes.

There is also a William Hill-sponsored card at York and as usual, our man Nick Luck has cast his eye over the action for us.

Newmarket

DUBAI LOVE is a very likely solution to the opening TV puzzle at Newmarket on Friday (1.50pm) at 6/1. If her summer breathing operation has had the desired effect, she ought to be right on the premises off this mark given how well she ran behind the subsequent US Grade One pair Althiqa and Summer Romance in Dubai last winter. Quickening ground and a searching mile should be perfect for her.

BY STARLIGHT is a real wild one in the Princess Royal (2.25pm), but there are genuine reasons for thinking she can run way above her rating and her price of 28/1. She is only a little worse off with second favourite Sayyida from their running earlier in the year, but has proved more progressive subsequently. She was second to a very well-handicapped horse (winner since) at Ascot before thumping a subsequent Listed winner at Goodwood. In addition, she appears finally to have learned to switch off, and is almost guaranteed a nice pace here.

ROMANTIC TIME can give William Stone another day to remember in the Rockfel Stakes (3.00pm) at 9/1. Although she sprung a surprise in a traditionally strong race at Salisbury, she won very easily and may have just been getting it together as she was presented with a more suitable trip for her pedigree. If that was the case, she could progress yet further over seven furlongs and is most interesting prospect here under suitable conditions.

MASTER OF THE SEAS looks a perfectly good favourite at 11/8 in the Joel Stakes (3.35pm). Unraced since a storming run in the Guineas, he remains a colt of real promise and can land this en route to a tilt at the Breeders’ Cup Mile. Main rival Benbatl was rather unlucky not to win the Celebration Mile, but I don’t trust a horse with his soundness issues to back up, while Laneqash didn’t appeal as an obvious stayer at this trip at Doncaster. Sir Busker may be a bigger threat.

York

MR WAGYU (9/2) has had a hectic season, but may have another day in the sun in the big sprint handicap sponsored by William Hill at York (2.05pm). Arguably, his third in the Ayr Gold Cup last weekend was his best effort yet, and he is unlikely to face the same pace pressure in the mid part of the race. In addition, this easier track should suit much better.

LION TOWER has also had a remarkable season, but that has been entirely in keeping with the way Grant Tuer’s horses have run all year, and this honest gelding can win another big one in the seven-furlong handicap (2.40pm) at 8/1.

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