Nick Luck’s blog: Ridoto can claim feature as Easy As That

William Hill ambassador Nick Luck runs his expert eye over Saturday’s racing from Cheltenham and Doncaster, picking out his best bets.

Cheltenham, Saturday

FUNAMBULE SIVOLA looks the answer to the TV opener at Cheltenham on Saturday (1:15pm). He has been granted an extraordinary amount of mercy from the handicapper, particularly given his apparently poor runs have come when being asked to race right-handed, something which he has never enjoyed. Easy ground will not inconvenience him as much as some of his rivals, and he has always shown a degree of comfort around Cheltenham. His stable remains in rip roaring form and he looks a nice bet at 15/2.

IL RIDOTO must surely run a bold race at 17/2 in the traditional December feature (1:50pm). Now a standing dish in these intermediate handicaps at this venue, he might’ve frustrated a few in his time. That said, there was every indication on his seasonal debut that he had improved a few pounds, and we know for sure that the demands of the New Course suits him that little bit better. I like the idea of Bryony Frost in the saddle, and can just see this combination, rolling along toward the head of affairs and taking a bit of catching.

EASY AS THAT definitely has more to offer and is fancied at 7/2 to land the staying handicap (2:25pm). It is noteworthy that his best performances came when the emphasis was clearly on stamina and the hunch is that he has been crying out for this trip.

CADELL is not the quickest horse in the world, but neither are any of his rivals in the staying novice hurdle (3:00pm). this will be quite a stern test for young horses, but this horse finds loads off the bridle and has now built up a nice bit of experience in points and under rules. His trainer has enough good young horses by which to judge him by, and I expect him to be running all the way to the line, so he’s worth siding with at 7/1.

WINDTOTHELIGHTNING might come out best in a fiercely difficult mares’ handicap hurdle (3:35pm). The handicapper has hardly missed her performance at Wetherby on her seasonal debut, but nor should he have done as it was mightily impressive. Furthermore, the horses that she beat were plenty useful enough and she barely came out of second gear. Clearly this is tougher still, but she is open to more improvement than any of her rivals, and can win at 13/2 this en route to bigger and better things.

Doncaster, Saturday

HENRY’S FRIEND hasn’t exactly been missed by the market at 11/2, but makes loads of appeal in the first televised race from Don Costa (2:05pm). I like the angle of going straight into a handicap over fences with this seemingly advantageous mark, and there has to be a chance that his recent breathing operation will see him return to the sort of form that saw him placed in a Grade 2 at Sandown last winter. This looks a very realistic starting point for the season.

TOMMY’S OSCAR looks overpriced at 13/2 to defy top weight in a very warm handicap hurdle (2:40pm). He is tremendously hard to beat in his grade, has conditions in his favour, and it is worth remembering that he won this race, two years ago carrying a similar burden, albeit from just a slightly lower mark. His recent chase exploits confirm him to have lost none of his enthusiasm.

SAIL AWAY has plenty in his favour in the Doncaster finale (3:15pm) at 9/2. He ran very well for a long way on his come back at Newbury, where a quick 2½ miles would’ve been plenty sharp enough. Still, he showed loads of zest and only gave way in the closing stages. That should have put him just about spot on for this, and the track and step up in trip should suit well.