Nick Luck
Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Newbury Long Distance Hurdle Day Best Bets
William Hill ambassador Nick Luck previews Friday’s ITV Racing cards at Newbury and Southwell, and gives his top tips.
Friday, Newbury
REGENT’S STROLL is becoming a backable price in the John Francome, one of four TV races at Newbury on Friday (1.50). He’s saved much of his best form for this venue (and for flat, left handed tracks in general), and should be able to establish a nice rhythm toward the head of affairs. He has some worthy rivals here, but he’s fundamentally a faster horse than them and could open up from a way out.
TELEPATHIQUE looks a biggish price against geldings today (2.25). Top weight she might be, but her mark isn’t beyond her, and she might have been attempting the impossible behind the highly talented Paggane on her seasonal debut. Her stable is in good nick, and she’s not far shy of championship class.
AHOY SENOR must be worth a small investment at massive odds in the Long Distance hurdle (3.00). Everyone knows his talent, trials and tribulations, and knows that he is fundamentally a better horse than any of these. Whether he can translate a large part of his ability back to hurdles is a moot point, but I suspect Derek Fox will be much happier to let him play his natural game without fences in the way. As such, he could quite easily gallop his rivals into submission with conditions to suit.
BLUE CARPET can win the finale (3.35). He’s taking a fair rise in class, but the handicapper might get spanked here, as he could only give him so much for a bloodless win in a three runner race. Go back to his bumper form, however, and a mark of 118 could massively underestimate his ability.
SHADER – who has made great strides this season (2.40) – and the big priced EQUALITY (3.15), who might just have the perfect set-up on his return from a chunky layoff, are fancies in the TV races at Southwell.
