Nick Luck’s blog: From Kelso to Meydan

The Flat is back in the shape of the Lincoln but there’s still Jumps action at Kelso and not to forget the Dubai World Cup. 

Our man Nick Luck has his Saturday selections ready to go.

Doncaster

BLATANT cannot be any more than a token choice to win the Brocklesby at 17/2, as the first two-year-olds are unleashed on ITV on Saturday (1.15). He represents last year’s winning connections and is well entered up in all the big auction races later in the year. Although there is more stamina on his pedigree than perhaps ideal, he has quite a classy page and sire Brazen Beau’s record is better than his reputation.

GARRUS looks a fair market leader at 7/4 in the Cammidge Trophy (1.50). He was set some really tough tasks last year, but was competitive more often than not, his only blip came when not staying seven furlongs on his final start. He is favoured by the conditions of the race, seems pretty adaptable if the ground dries up markedly, and his trainer has had 11 winners from 32 runners this year.

EMPIRESTATEOFMIND could be quite a nice handicapper this season, and is taken to make a winning start at to the campaign at 3/1 in the Spring Mile (2.25). He probably faced the impossible against Lincoln favourite Mujtaba last back end, but he went through much of the race every bit as strongly and the third is a decent tool who has run really well since. He only went up a pound for that run, which might be generous.

BOOSALA is a small bet at 4/1 against the favourite in the Doncaster Mile (3.00). It is interesting he’s been kept in training, as connections clearly feel he hasn’t realised his full potential in his light career to date. The ground should be perfect for him, and he figures to improve quite a bit for the extra furlong.

DARKNESS looks a pretty interesting runner in the Lincoln (3.35) at 11/1. He might have had a problem or two given that he hasn’t run since being acquired from the Rouget stable last July and he wasn’t that expensive considering his excellent form and unexposed profile. But he’s in just the right hands to iron out any issues and just looks really well treated on the balance of his form. The way he raced in France suggested strongly that the uneven pace of those races didn’t play to his strengths and I’m excited about what he might do here.

Kelso

BAK ROCKY has the makings of a little plot at 11/1 in the Cab On Target at Kelso (1.35). The stable also runs the much shorter priced Goodtimes Badtimes, but Ryan Mania gets back on the selection, who is equipped with a tongue tie and cheekpieces on his third run back from a layoff having cut out tamely in the two requisite qualifiers. He now races off a mark that would be very dangerous if he returned to his Hexham second earlier in the season.

HASEEFAH could be a bit of value in the Herring Queen final (3.15) at 17/2. Easily good enough on the Flat to be a pretty smart hurdler, she got off to a perfect start, but nosedived when encountering bad ground. Back on a sound surface, and with the pause that refreshes, she can find her form again and prove a threat to all.

Kempton

FANCY MAN is taken to resume winning ways at 13/8 in the Magnolia Stakes at Kempton (2.05). He has looked a much-improved performer on a synthetic surface, and I quite fancied him to win the Winter Derby. That was a very strong edition, however, and he ran with credit. He is down somewhat in class here and can make the most of his inside draw on the inner track.

Meydan

I will be in Dubai for the host broadcast of Dubai World Cup night, and I anticipate another significant set of results for the Japanese trained runners. I will be backing STAY FOOLISH at 6/1 (12.55) who is a big price for a horse of his ability because Manobo is so dominant in the market. He might be able to dictate again. I’m also keen on COMBUSTION (2.10) at 5/1 to outstay the Saudi Derby winner Pinehurst in the UAE Derby, as well as the formidable pair SCHNELL MEISTER (3.20) and AUTHORITY (3.55) at 2/1 and 6/1 respectively later in the day. Godolphin’s home team won’t leave empty handed and should take the Al Quoz with the freakishly talented MAN OF PROMISE (1.35) at 13/8, while the locals can strike in the Godolphin Mile courtesy of the front running AL NEFUD (12.20) at 9/4 and the ridiculously improved MERAAS (2.45) at 9/1 against a slightly unconvincing US contingent in the Golden Shaheen. The World Cup itself should go to LIFE IS GOOD (4.30) at 8/11, but I’ll be hoping Uruguayan star AERO TREM can plod past a few to nick a place as well at 40/1 after an encouraging effort in Saudi over shorter.