Nick Luck
Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Scilly Isles Chase Day Best Bets
William Hill ambassador Nick Luck previews Sandown’s G1 card as well as action from Musselburgh.
Sandown, Saturday
PRECIOUS METAL could be the way forward in a thin race to open up proceedings on ITV today (12.55). He’s not been handed a harsh opening mark for his first handicap, and should make a bit of progress for a significantly greater test of stamina.
RISK DE PLUIE can be an appropriately named winner of the next (1.25). Judged on his recent efforts, this intermediate distance should suit well. That was much more like it in a warm enough race at Exeter last time, having been part of the frenetic pace over too far at Cheltenham, and I’d bd inclined to give him another chance with Sam Twiston Davies taking over.
DR T J ECKLEBURG has been catching my eye all year in various races that he couldn’t really win, and it was no shock to see him get his act together in first time cheekpieces at Windsor (2.02). He’s no back number, but is still 5 pounds lower than when just touched off in similarly gruelling conditions in this race last year. They could go hard here, which will suit.
KALA CONTI might have her day in the Scilly Isles (2.40). This could be quite cut throat – 4 front runners in a 4 horse race – but Jack Kennedy is the likeliest to take back and stay out of the heat as she’s a bit more tactically versatile. In addition, she may be better suited to underfoot conditions than her rivals, while the sex allowance puts her right in the mix from a ratings standpoint.
TITAN DISCOVERY has more to offer in the feature handicap hurdle (3.10). He’s a very likeable horse, with a decent win record, and has shown more than once that he’s up to this class and goes well granted a really searching test. That will surely be the case here, and this course winner looks a very lively each way prospect at the current prices.
BLACKJACK MAGIC can spring a surprise at a huge price in the Masters’ (3.42). Nassalam – dangerous if the wind op has worked – and Mr Vango will want to make this a real test (may not be enough of one for the latter), and that could catch out one or two of the more suspect stayers. That comment doesn’t apply to the selection, who showed a bit of spark here last time after a period in the doldrums. He was backed at odds that day – significant given there were two more obvious stablemates in the race – and ought to finish off well with no weight on his back.
Musselburgh, Saturday
Meanwhile, at Musselburgh, SECRET FORCE should take advantage of a drop in class in the Triumph Trial (1.10), particularly with the stable in slightly better form.
In the Scottish County (1.43), I’ll be splitting my stake… WISE EAGLE looks to have been laid out for this, and will appreciate a fast run two miles. And I can’t quite leave this race without playing KATEIRA at a big price. She clearly doesn’t get three miles, no matter how many times they try, and she’s a very classy mare against this group.
JPR ONE looks to have found a golden opportunity in the Champion Chase (2.20) – nice ground, right handed track, and a bit of pace to aim at.
