Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Oh Boy, I’ve found one

Newbury, Saturday

BALLYMAGROARTY BOY is a sporting pick to sneak into the money at 16/1 in the TV opener at Newbury (1.30pm). Although he’s exposed to the hilt, this eleven year old is hugely consistent and tries pretty hard, plus he loves the ground as deep as you like and is very effective around a flat, left handed track. There aren’t obviously a load in here ahead of the game, and this might just develop into a real slog.

PROTEKTORAT is still reasonably priced at 9/4 in the Denman Chase (2.05pm). Bar one blip at Haydock, his two year record bears the closest scrutiny on figures, and comfortably exceeds all bar – of course – Shishkin. And, however encouraging are the noises from Seven Barrows, it is still a leap of faith to launch into Shishkin at odds-on. Ground and track are perfect for the selection, and this is not a means to an end.

AMARILLO SKY might be the answer at 7/2 to the Game Spirit (2.40pm). He looked especially good here last year, while his defeat of Fugitif at Cheltenham now reads well, too. He might have 8 lengths to find with Edwardstone on their Clarence House running, but the ability gap may well be narrower now and he finished lame that day. Bowling along on ground he won’t mind, he could easily have the tactical edge here if he’s straight enough.

IBERICO LORD (7/1) and ITO DITTO (18/1) are my two against the field in the Betfair Hurdle (3.15pm). The first named simply has to be very well handicapped still on the golden Greatwood Hurdle form line. Who knows what went amiss at Ascot, but he must be backed in the hope that he’s not a one-hit wonder. Ito Ditto is more speculative, but I love a novice in this race, and a pace-pushing one at that – he is a very powerful galloper in these conditions, is by a stallion I think might be going places, and looks to have been let in a few pounds light under Harry Cobden.

And if you didn’t know, William Hill are paying a mighty seven places on the race…