Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Dreamy to make a Strikin impression

William Hill ambassador Nick Luck picks out his best bets on Friday from Newmarket and York.

Newmarket, Friday

THE STRIKIN VIKING can bounce back in the Cornwallis at Newmarket (1:47pm). Really promising earlier in the year, he should have won the Richmond, and simply ran far too free at York and was eased when his chance had gone. His finishing position doesn’t do justice to his relative ability that day, and a drop to five – where he can take a lead – will suit on this track.

ECSTATIC is worth another chance at these odds in the Oh So Sharp (2:25pm). She pretty much sat down in the stalls at Doncaster, was on the back foot and was mindfully ridden. In the circumstances she didn’t run too badly, and should be at least the equal of Flight back at this distance. It’s worth bearing in mind that Ryan Moore was slated to ride her in preference to runaway winner Bubbling in the Rockfel before her withdrawal.

TEN BOB TONY gets the nod in the Challenge Stakes (3:00pm). He’s quite a strong stayer at seven furlongs, and I’d envisage him just sitting off a swinging pace here with plenty of one dimensional front-runners in the field. This track suited him well in the spring, and a bit of ease in the ground has brought about further improvement without much luck the last twice.

DREAMY is a bit of a flyer in the Fillies’ Mile (3:35pm). Jockey bookings from this firm rarely get it wrong these days, but this one was so green when tidily taking a Group 3 at the Curragh that I can’t believe there isn’t a good chunk of improvement to come. She almost sauntered past the line, ears pricked and looking everywhere as though she barely knew what she was doing. A raw filly and a daughter of Group One middle distance star Tapestry, she can just keep getting better.

York, Friday

HAFEET ALAIN must have a decent shout in the first TV race at York (1:30pm). A winner last year from a similar mark, he’s running into form, loves a big field and this ground, and gets a less competitive renewal this time round.

STRATUSNINE looks to have an interesting chance in the £100,000 EBF Final (2:05pm). There’s a fair bit in this one’s pedigree to suggest softer ground will suit better than he’s had so far, with siblings Ayaar and Dual Identity plus sire Far Above all wanting cut. He shaped well all three starts, particularly first time, and the stable’s horses often perform well after a little break.

MASTER BUILDER has been put up a good few pounds for Haydock, but deserved it and can defy that rise in the third of York’s TV races (2:40pm). This is a race full of stout stayers, but he showed a touch of class there, already has strong form at this track, and can stay on the right track.