Nick Luck
Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Royal Ascot Day Five Best Bets
William Hill ambassador Nick Luck is back for his best bets on the final day of Royal Ascot!
Saturday, Royal Ascot
UNDERDOG could be aptly named in the Saturday opener at Royal Ascot (2.30). I think this is the weakest two-year-old race of the week, and confusion surrounding the draw advantage makes the front of the market even less appealing. The selection made as good an impression as any of these on his debut last week at Sandown, fairly bolting up after losing a front shoe. He looks pretty well berthed to run a big race just eight days later.
ETHICAL DIAMOND looks wildly overpriced in the Hardwicke (3.05). The market clearly still regards his Breeders’ Cup win as a bit of a fluke. It’s worth remembering he beat Rebels Romance in a track record time, but even his Ebor romp would make him of some interest here. It’s clear what he needs is an end-to-end gallop and quick ground, which he didn’t get in Meydan, but which is guaranteed here. He showed his appreciation for this track last year and can remind them all of his quality.
SAYIDAH DARIYAN is a massive each way play in the QEII Jubilee (3.40). She lacks the obvious pizzazz of one of the international runners, but she’s excelled on her only start here where she arguably a little unlucky, and looks capable of a fair bit of improvement judged on a kindly ridden third to Flora of Bermuda on her seasonal debut. She gets on particularly well with Billy Loughnane, looks to have the best of the draw, and should get a lovely draft into the race from Satono Reve. Conditions are perfect.
SABER STRIKE is a worthy favourite for the Jersey (4.20). He has made a deep impression both his starts to date, has reportedly been working exceptionally well and looks on course for a spin in the Group One Prix Jean Prat if all goes to plan here.
COMPLETELY RANDOM has possibilities in a warm-looking Wokingham (5.00). He ran a tidy race in this last year, and his campaign has clearly been geared around preserving his mark for this. Ryan Moore has an excellent record on him, and a return to six furlongs in first time cheekpieces might just do the trick.
NIL BUA GAN DUA looks a likely each way play to continue Joseph O’Brien’s outstanding week (5.35). Seemingly the choice of the stable jockey, he has been gifted four pounds by the UK handicapper despite winning nicely enough last time which was admittedly a rather thin race. More pertinently, though, he is completely unexposed at this trip and has a pedigree that suggests proper fast ground should really suit. He’s a big player at a big price.
A PIECE OF HEAVEN can put the cherry on the cake for Joseph in the Queen Alexandra (6.10). He looks a dead straightforward extreme stayer who doesn’t have that much to find and is still a fair price.
