Nick Luck
Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Dewhurst and Cesarewitch Day Best Bets
William Hill ambassador Nick Luck previews the Group 1 card from Newmarket and York’s action on ITV.
Saturday, Newmarket
HUMIDITY might be the answer to the opening ITV race (13:15) on Dubai Future Champions Day. He hasn’t been seen since finishing second at the back end of his two-year-old career, where he only had champion miler Bow Echo in front of him. For all that he is facing race fit rivals, he remains the horse in the race with the most potential and he is likely to be ridden handily if last year’s exploits were anything to go by. That could easily be an advantage in this small field and Andrew Balding’s form is another plus.
WYKEHURST PARK gets a speculative vote in the Zetland Stakes (13:50). His stamina is guaranteed on pedigree, and he made a very taking impression when breaking his maiden at Yarmouth last time. Clearly there is more required here as there is relatively little depth to that form, but he finished off stylishly and his stable is well represented in this division. His presence must be taken as a sign that he is thought highly the flying Kingsclere team.
ROCK MONTREAL gets the vote in the Autumn Stakes (14:25). I thought he ran extremely creditably at Doncaster, even though he may well have been expected to win that day. He made a very promising debut, has always been highly regarded, had a lofty purchase price. He looks as though he has quite a sharp turn of foot and he should take all the beating.
DARKNESS FALLS can win the Dewhurst Stakes (15:00). Although it was a nine-furlong Group 1 that he was successful in last time, there is plenty of evidence in his pedigree to suggest that he is going to excel at around about a mile in due course. As such, it doesn’t seem ridiculous to drop him two furlongs for this prestigious test. Ryan Moore will be able to ride him with plenty of confidence in his ability to get home, and he looked well above average last time.
SEA LANTERN can win the Cesarewitch (15:40). Although he’s only run four times, he’s shown broadly progressive form, particularly latterly for this stable. His win at Pontefract last time was extremely taking, beating a very reliable and consistent yardstick comfortably. He drew right away in the closing stages and although that was only a mile-and-a-half, it certainly gave notice that he ought to excel over a little bit further. This is admittedly quite a lot further, but there are countless stayers in his pedigree, and his trainer seems very confident that he’ll get the trip. If that’s the case, he remains well handicapped.
Saturday, York
FRENCH DUKE is the selection in the valuable handicap (14:05) at York. He boasts his best piece of form at this track this season when an arguably unlucky second at the Ebor Festival. Admittedly, he didn’t do his chances any good that day by racing a bit keenly without cover, but he still showed a smart level of ability and proved that he was ahead of the handicapper if circumstances drop right. He subsequently ran a disappointing race at Newbury, but that could be attributed to the extended distance and he should be able to switch off more effectively back down at this trip.
OLD IS GOLD gets the vote in the sprint handicap (15:17) at York. He’s a horse who was threatening to be extremely frustrating until a visor was applied, since when he’s been a bit of a revelation. Having said that, it really is just a return to his early promise as a two-year-old and he’s always been thought of as a Stakes class horse by connections. As such, a nine-pound rise for his fluid victory at Newmarket last time might not quite be enough to stop him, and he certainly has a big handicap like this in him before he heads back to Listed and Group class.
