Nick Luck

Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Ahoy can prove his Genius at Haydock

9 months ago

| BY Nick Luck

William Hill ambassador Nick Luck picks out his best bets on a super Saturday of racing from Haydock, Ascot and Punchestown.

Haydock, Saturday

BOWENSPARK is a sneaky little each way play in the opening TV race at Haydock on Saturday (1:15pm). He’s pretty closely matched with second favourite Kamsinas on their most recent run – 4lbs better off now – and could easily come on for that. Having looked quite stylish in his bumpers and opening hurdle, he’s hung the latch a little of late, and he looks just the sort that a visor could help. If so, he’s quite dangerous off this mark.

TAHMURAS might be the one for today in the Graduation Chase (1:50pm). I’d say there are better long-term prospects here, not to mention the intriguing return of the giant Hillcrest, but the selection is a bit pacier than his rivals for this trip and ground, and was very good here over hurdles on his only try at the track. He ran really well on his final two starts last season, despite looking as though he would be better going left-handed.

GWENNIE MAY BOY is too big a price in the Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle (2:30pm). From a stable rolling on these big weekends, he improved beyond recognition last year for this outfit and could easily do better still, even off a much higher mark. He is Charlie Todd’s ride, so I’d take no notice of jockey bookings, and the forecast rain will be hugely in his favour. The market has rather overlooked him, but there’s no reason he shouldn’t run well again.

AHOY SENOR is an enigma but can get his day in the sun in the Betfair Chase (3:05pm). His comeback caught everyone’s eye, but the most striking aspect was how much better it was than his lamentable first-time-out efforts in the previous two seasons. With his eye in, there are few more dangerous chasers in training, and – on the proviso the ground doesn’t get really soft and that he doesn’t split half the fences – he could just bulldoze this bunch into submission.

MONBEG GENIUS could easily be ready to win first up in the late staying chase (3:40pm). Pulled out on account of the quickening surface at Cheltenham last week, this should be more suitable (plus it’s a fair bit easier). He never really got a clear shot at last season after his good third in last December’s feature handicap chase at Newbury, but is quite nicely treated now, and this track will suit for a stable going really well this season.

Ascot, Saturday

DASHEL DRASHER just might be able to frighten Pic d’Orhy in the 1965 Chase at Ascot (1:30pm). Although he can’t get any better at 11, his best chase form is actually superior to his hurdling efforts. He’s a Grade One winner here (among many good efforts at this track) and would really benefit if the rain came.

LUCKY PLACE is the bet in the Ascot Hurdle (2:45pm). He came quite a long way quite quickly without any profile at all last year, and even ran a blinder at the Festival when the rest of his stablemates performed as though their legs were tied together. Softening ground will be to his advantage, and the stable is really beginning to crank into gear now. With less than a length to find with Golden Ace on their Taunton running – and a whopping 10 pounds better off – he has been missed.

SANS BRUIT ought to go well in the two-mile handicap chase (3:20pm). He ran pretty well in the Halton Gold Cup, when the surface was a bit livelier than ideal, and he’ll find this a fair bit easier. I suspect he’ll bounce out, and if he finds that jumping rhythm that was so good at Aintree last year, he’ll take a fair bit of catching.