Nick Luck’s William Hill Blog: Hoping for Glory from Knickerbocker

Saturday, Sandown

HASTHING hasn’t been missed by anyone (1.50pm), but looks as though he might be a good bit better than his current mark in the EBF Final at Sandown. He raced over an inadequate distance last time for his third run, having earlier qualified at Catterick, a track where it is very hard to look impressive and which didn’t play to his strengths. His smart bumper form tells you he’s likely capable of much more, and he won’t mind conditions. 3/1.

KNICKERBOCKERGLORY makes a bit of appeal at 12/1 in the Imperial Cup (2.25pm). A fine second last year, that effort was in keeping with almost all his performances going right handed, which looks a distinct preference. The manner of his Ascot win early in the season suggests this is a very fair mark still, and it was further reduced after a perfectly good effort off a break in the Betfair Hurdle. He’ll lead this lot deep into the race at the very least.

CRAZIERTHANDAISY didn’t quite match expectations on her debut, but she can make amends where it matters in the mares’ bumper (3.00pm) at 7/1. A well-bred mare who will test the form of her stable ahead of the Festival, she travelled with loads of promise that day, before inexperience and interference got in the way. She should progress loads and can figure here at a fair price.

GOLDEN SON might well follow up in the novice handicap chase (3.35pm) at 3/1. He got lost mid-season, but I liked his win at Kempton in first time cheekpieces, and the subsequent romp from the runner-up suggests that the handicapper might have been quite kind. I’m not sure this race is any stronger, and he can go in again.

Saturday, Wolverhampton

MUMS TIPPLE is a sporting alternative to the favourite in the Lady Wulfruna at Wolverhampton (2.40pm) at 11/2. He is hard to pin down, but this is his right course and distance, he was desperately unlucky under an apprentice last week, and still has all his ability. Shouldvebeenaring comes off a break and doesn’t have quite as commanding a profile on this surface, so might be worth opposing at the odds.

SIR  BUSKER might roll back the years in the Lincoln Trial (3.15pm). There’s a bit of speed on in this race, and the old boy won’t mind coming back to this trip having found his mojo again of last over further. He should get a lovely ground saving trip from his draw, and I expect him to be charging at them late. 17/2.