Nick Luck’s blog: Tash Kan win the Northumberland Plate

William Hill ambassador Nick Luck previews Saturday’s ITV action, including the Northumberland Plate from Newcastle.

Newcastle, Saturday

LIR SPECIALE might be worth chancing each way in the TV opener at Newcastle on Saturday (1.35pm), William Hill’s Top Price Guarantee race on the day. A pretty fair horse, but with a slightly indeterminate optimum distance, the balance of his form suggests a stiffish six might suit best. He’s run pretty adequately both starts this season, but his mark has just eased and a return to the synthetic should be perfect.

SPYCATCHER looks a likely type for the Chipchase (2.04pm). Although Kinross is a tough opponent, it’s his seasonal debut, he normally takes a run, and 6 furlongs is not his absolute optimum. By contrast, this is Spycatcher’s forte, he ran really well in this last year on a slowish surface, and the York race was a throwout for most.

SINGLE makes some appeal at the odds in the Northumberland Vase (2.35pm). Tough and hardy, she has returned as good as ever as a seven year old, but I think there could be more to come on her first synthetic try in ages and her first go at two miles in a similarly long time. There were plenty of hints early in her career that both suited very well, and the stable continues in excellent heart.

TASHKAN has a big task in the Plate off a huge weight (3.10pm), but he might well be up to it. He very nearly pulled it off from a big rating in the Cesarewitch after a pretty long season, and he comes here fresh and raring to go. More than once, he has run to his best rating first time out, and this may be a rare plate that is a genuine test at the trip, with plenty that like to press on and the track riding quite deep. Ben Robinson appears to have chosen him over Onesmoothoperator, another with a very obvious chance.

Newmarket, Saturday

CELANDINE looks a little overpriced in the Empress at Newmarket (2.15pm). This looks quite a good race, but I was impressed with the selection at Windsor as she showed loads of pace and a fair bit of gumption to put the race right to bed from a very ordinary draw. That was a huge step up from her debut, and the third wasn’t beaten too far at Royal Ascot subsequently.

CRYSTAL DELIGHT can continue on the up in the Fred Archer (2.50pm). He has a fabulous pedigree, and his new trainer has just started getting him to match it. He looked very smart at York last time, when. He had the likes of subsequent stakes winner Klondike well in arrears, and his racing style should suit this track when it rides quick.

NOSTRUM has the ability to completely smash up these opponents back at seven furlongs in the Criterion (3.25pm). He was never at the races on his return, but he has stacks of ability as he showed when winning as he liked in a fast time here at the last July Festival. He should get a lovely position stalking Pogo’s pace, and these won’t be good enough for him if he’s on good behaviour.