Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Cheveley and Middle Park Stakes Day Preview

William Hill ambassador Nick Luck previews Saturday’s ITV Racing card, which features two Group 1 events in the Cheveley Park and Middle Park Stakes, as well as giving a nod to Grade 1 action across the pond.

Saturday, Newmarket

GHOST RUN might well follow up her Doncaster win in Newmarket’s opener on Saturday (1.15). She was pretty tenacious in a better race than this, and the rise looks fair enough. It’s anyone’s guess how most of these will handle conditions, but she has loads of experience, and her smart half sister Nymphadora has done well in the mud.

ANGELO BUONAROTTI gets the nod in the Royal Lodge (1.50). The Convivial maiden form is sending out mixed messages, but there was no arguing with the manner of his victory, and this more galloping test should be more up this powerful colt’s street. As regards his suitability for conditions, he at least is physically robust enough to cope.

DAYLIGHT might be the play in the Cheveley Patk (2.25). Although favourite Babouche has cast iron credentials, Daylight might also have beaten Whistlejacket had she not been held up in her run in a deep edition of the Prix Morny. For all she ran a blinder, you still felt connections were a bit disappointed, hinting at just how highly she’s regarded. Crucially, she’s looked even better with cut in the ground, and the possibility that she’ll go in the deep tilts the balance in her favour.

SHADOW OF LIGHT might be a touch of value to upset the smart Ballydoyles at the head of the Middle Park market (3.00). This horse took a big jump forward in the Gimcrack, losing out only to a horse with superior stakes experience, and with a strong field in his wake. He exceeded expectations there, and can improve again in a race that was won several years ago by his half-brother Earthlight, who was also a top level scorer on heavy ground.

BOPEDRO is the pick in the Cambridgeshire (3.40). Third last year – and maybe a little unfortunate not to be a bit closer – he rocks up here off 6lbs lower. He’ll be fine on the ground – indeed, he often comes to life at this time of year – and he confirmed his wellbeing with a fine run in defeat at Doncaster.

Saturday, Haydock

ITV cameras are also at Haydock, where SKIPPER looks a likely one in the mile handicap (1.30). A close relative of Kinross, he might have been waiting for a bit of easy ground, and he’s quite an exciting prospect in a field of pretty exposed horses. Meanwhile WILTSHIRE (3.15) looked quite a prospect on soft at Newbury at the beginning of the season, and can continue on an upward curve.

The Beresford Stakes at The Curragh (2.35) can go the way of HOTAZHELL, who will appreciate this sterner test and is better than he showed last time.

Saturday, Santa Anita

I’ll be at Santa Anita this weekend working for NBC on the inaugural running of the California Crown, where the mighty SENOR BUSCADOR could spring a minor surprise. The market will likely indicate that he can’t close them down at this trip around two turns, but there’s abundant pace on here from a clutch of Bafferts and Senor Buscador had a nice sharpener over a seriously inadequate seven furlongs at Del Mar. The track looks to be riding quite deep and testing in the morning, which might also bring his closing style into play.