William Hill ambassador Nick Luck previews this afternoon’s action from Musselburgh and Haydock.
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Saturday, Musselburgh
ZOWAL is the pick at the odds in the TV opener at Musselburgh on Saturday afternoon (1.50). He’s bred to be a decent horse – certainly better than this mark – and might have been quite a shrewd buy from France judged on his British debut. He travelled like a smart horse before hanging fire somewhat, but still found a good amount for pressure. I strongly suspect that he’ll fare better off a stronger pace, and he has a nice fitness edge over most of these.
DAIN MA NUT IN gets the nod in the next (2.25). He just keeps chiselling his way to being quite a talented horse, and took another step forward on his seasonal debut. Normal improvement should see him go very well at a track where he has now run with credit on several occasions.
JER BATT can win the Scottish Sprint Cup (3.00). He’s versatile and largely consistent, loves it here, and has gone very well fresh on more than one occasion. Although he can come through horses, pushing the pace in a small field is no issue.
ALIGN THE STARS is the pick in the Queen’s Cup (3.35). A brother to the smart but quirky Al Aasy, he looked set for somewhere near good stakes company this time last year, but rather plateaued. His post-gelding comeback, however, was really promising, as he stuck on dourly behind a smart horse. Handicap company such as this should hold few fears for him, and he can make a bold bid on or near the front.
Saturday, Haydock
LUTTRELL LAD has sound claims in the first of the televised Challenger Series finals at Haydock (2.05). He beat a well treated and talented horse in Aurigny Mill two starts back, and is only a shade higher, having been dropped for his Aintree run. I thought he actually ran well there in a very hot race, seeing too much of the action early and round the outside, and losing his back legs three out, halting his momentum. This is much more like it for him.
TINY TETLEY might not be done winning yet in the staying race (2.40). He’s always been likeable, but has come on leaps and bounds when soft is nowhere near the going description. If it stays dry, he’s in such good heart that it’s highly likely he’ll be on the premises again.
THE WIDDOW MAKER gets the vote at a big price in the feature chase (3.15). He’s not been easy to train, but – after a couple of hurdling pipe openers – he was back win business over fences last time against in-form rivals. Old form suggests he is still well treated, and he stays well at this trip, while enjoying this spring ground.
