Nick Luck
Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Skelton can land Classic Chase At Warwick
William Hill ambassador Nick Luck previews Saturday’s action from Warwick, Kempton and Fairyhouse – all of which are subject to Saturday morning inspections.
Warwick
A GREAT EXCUSE looks a nice starting point to bolster the bank in the opening ITV4 race at Warwick on Saturday (1.15). He’s only had a couple of starts for his promising young trainer, improving nicely to win a race at Lingfield that couldn’t really have worked out better considering the grade. As such, a five-pound rise is no big deal, and he’s open to a good bit more progress.
MOON ROCKET gets the nod in the Hampton (1.52). This might be quite a well-run race, but I like the idea of him having the tactical speed to stalk likely leader Doyen Quest, because there is a possibility Wade Out and Laurens Bay could get on the back foot around here. I was impressed with the way Moon Rocket travelled the last twice, and his superior pace could see him home.
KELIJOE might be capable of a fair bit more in a modest handicap hurdle (2.25). He was much better minus the tongue tie (left off again) last time, but has given the impression that a return to the minimum trip would be no hindrance. The majority of the stable’s runners are going well at present, and he looks to have been found another suitable opportunity.
JOYEUX MACHIN is chanced in what looks a decent running of the Classic Chase (2.55). He’s not won since joining the Skeltons, but has run some interesting races, some under today’s rider. It’s a leap of faith to say he wants this new trip, but he boxed on sturdily at one pace in a fair race at Doncaster last time, and could easily find himself picking up pieces off his feather weight out of what could be a real slugfest with Myretown, Nassalam, L’Homme Presse and Mr Vango all likely to go forward.
LORD SNOOTIE looks quite interesting in the Pertemps Qualifier (3.32). I’m not sure the front two in the market want their marks to go up before the final, so it might be worth looking further down the weights, and the selection is now lower than when a really good second at Aintree two seasons back in a much better race. He’s back to the scene of his only win, and the stable is hitting a bit of form.
Kempton
YOUR DARLING – the low mileage eleven-year-old – might be the answer in a very iffy looking race at Kempton (2.05). He ran fine on his comeback against much better horses, and looks ready for another step up in trip, with the handicapper giving him a real chance down 4lbs. Soul Icon is not a certain stayer, Welcome to Cartries might find this a bit sharp, and obvious danger The Doyen Chief doesn’t look in love with it at present.
KALIF DU BERLAIS can get back on track in the Silviniaco Conti Chase (2.40). He ought simply to be either too good or too young for these, and might even be a somewhat backable price given there may a few concerns over the step up in trip and his comeback run at Exeter. Time has shown trying to concede 22 pounds to Thistle Ask was an impossible task, and he was far from pushed once his chance had gone.
JUST ENNEMI might be worth a small interest in the Lanzarote (3.17). This evidently wasn’t plan ‘A’, as he made his long-awaited comeback over fences (last of three). He looked to need the run very badly that day, and – if sharper – is almost certainly well treated based on his form at Auteuil.
Fairyhouse
TOUCH ME NOT looks certain to run a bold race in the Dan & Joan Moore Memorial at Fairyhouse (1.40). He was set some tough tasks last year, and acquitted himself pretty well, but he looked well at home back in handicap company last time, and has the same conditional aboard today. Better off with the winner this time, he can reverse the form with a little less pace pressure likely.
