Nick Luck’s William Hill Blog: Harry could give them a Run for their money

William Hill ambassador Nick Luck runs his expert eye over the best of Saturday’s action from Navan and Lingfield.

Saturday, Navan

FORTUNEDEFORTUNATA looks the ticket at 5/1 in the TV opener at Navan on Saturday (1.55pm). His two runs at this venue (quite a specialist affair) have yielded two of his best efforts, while his last run can be heavily upgraded after suffering interference in very deep ground. He’s one of the higher rated ones in what is only a fair race, and can keep progressing for top connections.

RUN FOR HARRY might be worth a little each way bet at 14/1 in a devilish handicap (2.30pm). Many of these are capable of a bit better than their bare form, but not many have posted as notable an effort in novice company as this one did on his first hurdle start. That came at this track, and his rather uninspiring efforts since have allowed him into a realistic grade for his first handicap. He may just be bang out of form and he’s certainly not that quick, but if he’s allowed to stride on, he could be competitive.

SENIOR CHIEF can upset the applecart a little at 9/2 in the beginners’ chase (3.05pm). I didn’t love either of the efforts of the market leaders last time, whereas the selection ran quite well behind the masterful Gaelic Warrior, and now gets the genuine test of stamina that his pedigree and style suggests will suit.

HUTCHIE caught my eye at a big price in another game of equine bingo, this time over fences (3.42pm). JJ Slevin could have ridden a few at shorter prices here, but he’s a couple of winners under the belt for Stephen Carey, who uses him as his go-to. This one returns unexposed to fences after a decent pipe-opener last time, and will enjoy both a step up in trip and going left handed. 14/1.

Saturday, Lingfield

TROPEZ POWER could be the answer to the Lingfield TV appetiser at 17/2 (2.00pm). He’s a very strong traveller who can be a hostage to fortune, but he looked to be in good form for much of his belated comeback at Newcastle, and should move forward for that. I have no doubt there is more to come off this mark, and expect him to bag a nice prize or two this season.

ALLIGATOR ALLEY has possibilities in the sprint (2.35pm). He’s not a bank job in any race, but he might get a perfect set-up here, as he wants them to go flat out and stop in front of him.  One Night Stand, Bedford Flyer, and Bergerac, attended by Silkie Wilkie and Lord Riddiford, will go hell for leather here, and that will suit the old rogue. 7/1.

TWIRLING is the pick in the Winter Oaks at 5/1 (3.10pm). She has gradually progressed, but surely now is ready for this step up in distance. With that in mind, I’m hoping she finds the rhythm of the race a little easier than at a mile, and is not a sitting duck for something with more pace. She certainly looks as though this will suit, and Ryan Moore takes over.

TWO PAST EIGHT will surely run well in the stayers’ race at 9/2 (3.45pm). You have to strip out a load of indifferent runs, but if you focus solely on his two runs over a trip on the all-weather, he just needs to repeat either to be right on the premises under his excellent jockey.