Nick Luck
Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Rum to star in Nunthorpe
William Hill ambassador Nick Luck casts his expert eye over Day Three of York’s Ebor Festival.
IRONWILL can earn due reward for a string of decent efforts in Friday’s York opener (1.50). He ran right through the bend at Goodwood, then was hampered late. In the circumstances, it was a remarkable effort and he’s able to race off just a pound higher. He bolted up the only time he tackled soft ground last year, so that shouldn’t be an issue if that situation arises.
CARMERS is the tentative pick in the Lonsdale (2.25). He’s a very lightly campaigned horse, and may yet still be emerging. If that’s the case, he should be on the premises, as his runs this season have been perfectly respectable, including when an apparent non-stayer in the Gold Cup. His run in last season’s Voltigeur here is the most compelling piece of course form in recent history, and he won’t mind any further easing of the ground.
MRAIR is worth another chance in the Gimcrack (3.00). He had a pretty shocking trip in the Coventry, but for which he’d have certainly been in the mix with Adaay of Scarlett et al. He’s been freshened up since, carries a degree of stable confidence, and ought to produce a big effort.
RUMSTAR might be set for his biggest day in an intriguing edition of the Coolmore Nunthorpe (3.35). The suspicion is that rain might hinder the chances of quite a few at the head of the market, most notably US challenger Bacio. But the selection won’t mind it too much, and he comes here off a huge effort at Goodwood, finishing off best given a sharp enough test. He ran a fine race in this last year when not getting the clearest of runs, and he’s a strong contender to place at least.
GENEALOGY is a speculative selection in the mile and half handicap (4.10). He hasn’t done a lot on the flat since his early promise at Ballydoyle. But those efforts would make him look well treated, and there are a couple of more recent hurdles efforts – most notably at Ascot earlier in the year – that would appear to reinforce that. He’s had a wind-op and won a little hurdle race recently, so at least he comes here in good fettle and perhaps with an issue ironed out. The jockey booking inspires a bit of confidence as well.
OKLAHOMA can take the Convivial maiden (4.45). Aidan O’Brien isn’t messing around with the application of cheekpieces, and that might enable him to make best use of his relative experience. His form as it stands is perfectly good in the context of what has already been achieved and, unless there is a well above average newcomer, he ought to take the beating.
ELECTRIFARHH looks a likely one in the fillies’ handicap (5.20). She’s clearly not been the easiest to train, but there are snippets of form across three seasons that make her look really well treated. A first-time hood (retained) elicited a career best at Goodwood last time, and a small build on that on ground she’ll enjoy more should get her involved.
ARCHIVIST is a sporting pick in the Strensall, the final day curtain raiser at York’s Ebor Festival (1.50). He’ll likely need another career best, but he really got his act together at Goodwood, and he’s got tons of York form from his time with William Haggas. The extra furlong could easily eke out another pound or two, while cut in the ground shouldn’t be a massive issue.
