Nick Luck’s Blog: Significantly better chances at York and Newmarket

Saturday, York

SERRIED RANKS can land the York TV opener on Saturday (1.15pm). Off since Goodwood, he made a pretty smart impression at the Sussex track, defeating stablemate Starlust in good style. That rival has done nothing but advertise the form subsequently, while third Dapper Valley is a horse I have quite a bit of time for. The soft ground will be perfect for the selection, and he can step up. 15/2.

SIGNIFICANTLY is taken to follow up his Ayr Gold Cup success in the Sprint Trophy (2.25pm) at 11/2. His Portland effort looks better and better (unlucky not to win), while the four-pound rise for his Ayr win is hardly swingeing given the way he scythed though the field. He’s undoubtedly on the way back to stakes company, and is sure to run well.

WONDER KID might be worth a second look in the maiden (3.05pm). The form standard is not insurmountable, and this is quite a nicely bred newcomer with a fair purchase price from a stable that is having a nice run at the moment and one that is more than capable of winning with a debutant. 13/2.

CAROLUS MAGNUS is definitely ready to win again, and might be the answer to the ten furlong handicap (3.35pm) at 9/1. He’s been working his way down the weights, but his last two runs (particularly in the Cambridgeshire) have been quite eye-catching, and this step up in trip will surely suit.

Saturday, Newmarket

CHIEF LITTLE ROCK gets the vote in the Autumn Stakes (1.25pm) at 4/1. Ancient Wisdom comes out of Rosallion’s golden form race at Ascot, but it’s a bit of a concern he’s not been out since, and the Ballydoyle horse has almost certainly achieved as much in defeat to the very talented Deepone (very good speed figure) at the Curragh.

CITY OF TROY is a monster and I’ll be gutted if he doesn’t turn on the style again in the Dewhurst (2.00pm), now 8/15. For those not fond of skinny prices, I’d be somewhat tempted to back stablemate HENRY ADAMS each way at 28/1 (if they all stand their ground) – his fourth in the Lagadere was an excellent effort in a smart race.

AZTEC EMPIRE can make his mark in the Cesarewitch (2.40pm) at 22/1. The shortlist is long here, but this horse would be a fair bit shorter if he hadn’t blown out at Haydock, a run easily excused on account of a terrible trip over too short a distance. Previously, he’d run a lovely race when rather unlucky at York, off the back of a similarly good run with ease in the ground behind Sweet William. Still lightly raced, and with some smart stayers in his pedigree, a marathon distance might bring about a fair bit more progress.

DAMBUSTER is a smart colt and can prove it in the Zetland Stakes (3.15pm) at 9/2. He needs to move forward, but his winning debut was full of promise, defeating experienced rivals despite showing real greenness and racing on clearly the slowest part of the track. The runner up has posted a very smart effort in a valuable nursery subsequently, and another couple of furlongs should be ideal.

RAADOBARG can gain due reward for some consistent efforts in good company this season in the Darley Stakes (3.50pm). He loves softish ground, and looked particularly effective over this nine furlong course when running a career best here in April. He’s mainly held his form well, and he is equipped with Ryan Moore. 13/2.