Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Hansard ready to continue his progress

William Hill ambassador Nick Luck looks over the first day of the Berkshire Winter Million from Windsor as well as other ITV races from Market Rasen and Newcastle.

Market Rasen, Friday

GRANDADS COTTAGE is the call in the Friday TV opener from Market Rasen (1:25pm). This is a Veterans’ Race, but he is hardly a back number – in fact, he is probably improving into his prime judged on his comeback at Carlisle. The rise in the weights following that is fair, he has form at this track, and the stable keeps up its relentless momentum this season.

FORTESCUE is interesting in the oft-rescheduled Veterans’ Final (2:35pm). My initial instinct was that this was a bit sharp for him, but there’s abundant pace here with Copperhead, Eldorado Allen, Remastered and Cloudy Glen all expected to be marked urgent, and this could turn into a surprise test of stamina. As I wrote last week, the selection has an excellent record in single figure fields and is clearly well treated on much of his form.

ELUSIVE FEELING is a speculative pick in the Listed Mares’ bumper (3:10pm). It’s against the grain to pick an unraced horse in a race like this, but the form standard in nothing to write home about and she has a good and relatively speedy pedigree. She represents a top stable in this sphere, while she passed unraced through the hands of a top judge in Warren Ewing. Interesting.

Windsor, Friday

CALDWELL POTTER can get back among the winners in the Lightning Novices’ Chase at Windsor (1:50pm). There will be a few groans at this pick, but I suspect there will be a few that have already filed him in the disappointing tray and keen to oppose him. As such, I’m hoping he eases to a backable price, because even a reproduction of his most recent run makes him the one to beat. You Wear It Well hasn’t matched her hurdling form over fences, Gidleigh Park is in deep again after his Kempton mishap, and Personal Ambition is solid, but needs more.

PANIC ATTACK gets the nod in the mares’ handicap chase (2:25pm). She is pretty nicely in on her old form with David Pipe, and has had two nice tune-ups over hurdles for this yard. If she can reproduce something like her effort on trials’ day when last over the bigger obstacles, she’ll be hard to beat.

IBERICO LORD can get back on track in the feature hurdle (3:00pm). He hasn’t really looked assured over fences, but has still run to a pretty high level both times this season, and should be much more at home here. He’s quite a quick horse, and this apparently pacy new track might well suit him better than some of the more staying types in this.

HANSARD has quite a bit going for him in a smart handicap hurdle (3:35pm). Progressive in a truncated season last year, he reappeared with a very sound comeback at Kempton, staying on under hands and heels, and finishing off well. He gives every indication of being better suited by a truly run race, and can continue on an upward curve.

Newcastle, Friday

HEATHCLIFF should have more to offer in the sole TV race at Newcastle (2:10pm). From a family of sprinters that have starred for this stable, he won very cosily over 7f last time, but will have no issues back at a very stiff 6f. Marshman would be a huge danger if benefitting from his multiple procedures, but this might just stretch him stamina-wise.