Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Challow Hurdle and Savills Preview

William Hill ambassador Nick Luck previews Saturday’s action from Newbury and Leopardstown, where Galopin Des Champs, Fact To File and many more are in action.

Newbury, Saturday

RIGHTSOTOM is a strong enough selection to kick off TV proceedings at Newbury on Saturday (1.45). He looked a pretty promising horse in Ireland before joining this yard, and needed the spin at Ascot before bolting up at Doncaster. The way Samuel Spade ran at Kempton this week suggests the rise is more than fair, and he could just outclass these.

HENRY’S FRIEND looks the percentage play in the Mandarin (2.20). There are relatively few with compelling credentials here, but this one ran a perfectly sound race in the Coral Gold Cup, and will find this a little easier. He should find competition for the lead less fierce, while his market rivals have a few question marks.

REGENT’S STROLL can continue Paul Nicholls’s excellent record in the Challow (2.55). Although he faces a formidable looking rival in The New Lion, the selection appeared relentless and merciless here on his hurdling debut, snapping back on the bridle easily after a juddering mishap that would have completely halted most horses. The distant runner up has gone on to run very well in a hot Grade One.

MOON D’ORANGE looks a very big price to return some each way money in the Newbury closer (3.35). He’s run two superb races in better company at Cheltenham, and could easily benefit from a slight cut back in trip at an easier track. Freddie Gordon takes off an extra five in a tight race in which the front of the market has a sketchy look.

BUTCH won’t be much of a price, but should be up to seeing off two rivals on his chasing debut a Leicester (12.15), while CHAMPAGNESUPEROVER (3.10), who caught the eye of the stewards for the same connections two starts ago, can make up for getting no further than the first last time.

Leopardstown, Saturday

SANDOR CLEGANE might be ripe for a minor shock in the Savills Hurdle at Leopardstown (2.00). He’s a bit to find on the book, but has always mixed it with credit in Graded races, most notably at two Festivals. There’s a chance here that he’s the lone pace in a race where plenty need a searching test to be seen to best effect. I’m hoping headgear can make him less slovenly at his hurdles and ping away on the front end.

GALOPIN DES CHAMPS is a confident pick to turn around Durkan form with Fact To File (2.35). Quite simply, Leopardstown is his fortress, with his five chase starts here all yielding dominant winning performances. The step back to his natural distance should see him assert his superiority.