Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Not Too Soon to see Seagulls fly

William Hill ambassador Nick Luck casts his expert eye over some top-class Saturday action from Newmarket and York.

Newmarket, Saturday

TOO SOON is overpriced in the Zetland (1:50pm) on account of his having the second best form in the race. The Moores have always spoken very highly of him, and each increase in stamina test has got him closer to that reputation. Out of a half-sister to Walk In The Park, he’ll just keep rolling when others have had enough.

NIGHTWALKER might be the horse to bring the curtain down on Sir Michael Stoute’s career with a pattern race win (2:25pm). To the eye, the apparent big guns here haven’t shown star quality yet, and I’ve been keeping an eye on the selection since a massively eye-catching third behind the smart Matauri Bay on his debut. He might have been flashier last time, but he had to do all his own donkey work and was always in command. That will have taught him plenty, and this half-brother to US Grade 1 performer Whitebeam has more to offer.

SEAGULLS ELEVEN has the capacity to run a huge race in the Dewhurst (3:00pm). This is not a vintage group of two-year-old colts, and the front of the market has a shaky look to it. The Lion In Winter (who may well want faster ground) has had a hold-up, ditto Ancient Truth, while Shadow Of Light (Buick’s choice) was immediately classed as a sprinter by Charlie Appleby after the Middle Park. The selection – behind Ancient Truth in the Superlative – has improved since (after his own injury scare) to run a stormer in Group One company, and his freewheeling style in a small field might just suit the Rowley Mile to a tee.

SIXANDAHALF gets a very tentative vote in the Cesarewitch (3:40pm). While her compatriots warrant enormous respect, she ran outstandingly well in her first proper test at this sort of trip in the Irish version, and might well have finished second but for engaging a very smart winner a long way out. She’s pretty unexposed, very tough, and perfectly well handicapped.

York, Saturday

BOLO NEIGHS can win the Rockingham at York (1:30pm). Although stepping up when winning the sales race at the Curragh, it was in keeping with a progressive profile overall, and there are plenty here that look exposed. Easy ground won’t be an issue and he’s been found a good spot to secure a stakes win.

VALVANO is risky, but worth a chance in the next (2:05pm). His first two runs make him really well-handicapped, and he shaped second best after his long absence in very sticky ground at Salisbury. The winner that day has gone on to prove himself more than useful, and this one should have a good bit more to come.

STRIKE RED can gain due reward for a series of good runs in the Coral Sprint Trophy (2:40pm). He often goes very well here, and is off the same mark as when just touched off in the Constantine. He prefers this softer ground, while he ran perfectly well on the wrong side in the Ayr Gold Cup.