Nick Luck’s blog: We’ve got the Power at Ascot

Wetherby

JOE DADANCER (5/2) looks easily the most interesting runner in the TV opener at Wetherby on Saturday (1.50pm). Although he has just a solitary Point-to-Point fall to his name, he was set to bolt up over a fair field in a good time and was a short priced favourite. An only marginally above average novice hurdle should see him very competitive on that evidence.

NINA THE TERRIER might be the one in the mares’ hurdle (2.25pm) at 7/2. A really brisk two miles is right up her street and See The Sea will ensure that Molly Olly’s Wishes can’t dominate. In the event there’s a real burn-up, the strong travelling selection – with a run under her belt – could have this set up very nicely.

OSCAR ELITE looks a big price at 12/1 in the West Yorkshire Hurdle (3.00pm). Although he’s strictly got a bit on at the weights, he’s run so well in huge fields at Festivals too often to think he’ll be out of his comfort zone. Although he’s using this as a prep for the big Newbury chase, he’s reportedly well forward in his work and I’m hoping that the fresh wind operation has the same effect as when he first wore a tongue tie (and ran a monster race to finish second in the Albert Bartlett).

AHOY SENOR can strut his stuff at 11/8 in the Charlie Hall (3.35pm). My belief is that he’s one of the few horses at this level whose official rating underestimates him, and he is comfortably the best of these when things are in his favour.

Step forward a flat left-handed track on goodish ground, and there’s your answer. He’s undefeated over obstacles under these conditions and he can outmuscle and outstay his two main market rivals, neither of whom is cast iron at a strongly run three miles. I’d be more cautious if too much rain fell.

Ascot

SAMARRIVE is the choice in a cracking little race at Ascot (1.30pm) at 5/2. Technically, Goshen must be the pick as the only one in the handicap, but I’m happy with him still giving the selection 11 pounds, particularly as Samarrive has a more obvious profile to improve significantly both for fences and another summer under his belt. He jumped hurdles well, looked impressive twice on nice ground at Sandown and will be ready enough from this stable.

GALORE DESASSENCES looks overpriced at 16/1 in the smart handicap hurdle (2.05pm). The handicapper didn’t miss his third in the Dovecote, but he’s still not badly treated at all and is open to further progress. This is emphasised when you factor in that he was conservatively ridden that day and had travelled like a pretty useful horse in lesser company previously.

There are a few questionable types near the head of the market and, in a race where there’s plenty of pace signed on, expect the selection to arrive on the scene powerfully.

FRERO BANBOU appeals in the next (2.40pm) at 9/2. He’s a reasonable price, possibly because Venetia Williams hasn’t got going yet, but she’s hardly had a runner and this horse ran perfectly well in this last year before a productive season. He ran a curious but remarkable race at Cheltenham and was clearly over the top on quick ground at Aintree. He’s only six and is one of the likelier ones to take a step forward.

OUR POWER must surely run a sound race in the London Gold Cup (3.15pm) at 4/1. Although his wins are over shorter, you can make a case that he improved a bit for a trip, given how much more competitive he needed to be in his last two starts at Kempton and Cheltenham. He didn’t come round the bend well at the latter, and it seems significant that much of his best form the last two seasons has come going this way round. Big chance.