Nick Luck
Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Irish Guineas, Goodwood, Haydock and York
William Hill ambassador Nick Luck is here with his best bets across a busy Saturday of action, with selections at Goodwood, Haydock, York and for the Irish 2000 Guineas.
Goodwood, Saturday
PATHEIN looks a value play in the TV opener at Goodwood on Saturday (1.25). He has shown smart and progressive form in three runs to date, enters a handicap for the first time with a very handy draw, and will appreciate dropping in trip, hopefully sitting just in behind a likely honest pace. There’s plenty to come from this horse.
GOLDEN STORY gets the vote in the Cocked Hat (2.00). Any of the front three present a solid case, but the selection boasts a nice piece of form behind a potential superstar in the Dee Stakes, He wasn’t unfancied that day and may be open to more progress given the way the stable has started to motor. He gets three pounds from penalised Saxon Street, which may prove decisive.
Haydock, Saturday
REVOIR can win the first TV race at Haydock (1.45). She ran a series of top races in good company last year, while never appearing the stoutest stayer at twelve furlongs. With a winter to strengthen, the yard in good form, and starting afresh over ten furlongs, she could have quite a bit to offer, though any drying of the ground would be a help.
PRINCLING looks to have been well campaigned to have a big day in the Silver Bowl (2.20). His two runs last year have worked out very tidily, while his third run – a victory in a thin race – meant that the handicapper couldn’t go crazy. He has been pretty lenient, however, and this well drawn horse must surely go well.
VENETIAN SUN can bounce back in the Sandy Lane (2.58). She patently failed to stay in the 1,000 Guineas but travelled up sharply and threateningly on the wrong side, before being wrapped up when beaten. She can repay that kindness here.
JM JUNGLE could be an each way play in a competitive edition of the Temple Stakes (3.30). He is a latch-on-and-finish-well type of sprinter at this trip, and he has plenty of pace around him to draft into race in the shape of Frost at Dawn and Night Raider. Slightly easier ground will help also, and he looks primed to run one of his better races off his promising comeback.
HERMETIC could be the way forward in the two miler (4.05). His form in France is quite hard to weigh up, but he shaped very well on his stable debut, leaving the impression he was probably a stayer. He looks as though he can do affair bit better in due course and is in the right hands to progress.
York, Saturday
SQUEALER makes a good bit of each way appeal in the feature sprint handicap at York (2.40). He has been dropped 11 pounds in rapid order, despite – on the evidence of his comeback – not having regressed much at all. Expect a much bolder showing with a couple of runs under his belt at a track that he loves, and from a draw that would certainly have been a plus at the last fixture.
LAVA STREAM might be too big a price in the Bronte Cup (3.15). She was off a fair while before her last start, but she moved quite takingly into the race and looked to have retained a good chunk of her ability. She takes a good hike in distance here, which is almost certainly what she wants, and she can at least give the heavy favourite something to ponder.
Curragh, Saturday
GO JUST DO IT is an each way pick in the Irish Guineas (3.40), in full knowledge that they all have a mountain to climb to get near Gstaad. I was struck that he went straight into a Group 2 as a maiden on his second start, and more so by how well he ran behind Constitution River. He looked an improved horse on his comeback and looks for all money as though he now needs this mile.
