Nick Luck’s blog: One looks more than Able at HQ

The flat season is well and truly upon us now and we have a great day’s racing from Newmarket and Goodwood before opening the floor to the Guineas this weekend.

Our man Nick Luck has run his eye over four races from Newmarket and three from Goodwood.

Newmarket

HOO YA MAL can take the necessary step forward to land the TV opener at 5/2  in the Guineas meeting on Friday (1.50pm). A fair third in the Craven, he nonetheless shaped as though he remained a colt of potential, while suggesting that a step up to this distance would suit. He is the clear form pick and some of his stable’s runners have been shaping as though needing a run to get them spot on.

GUBBASS might be the answer at 9/4 to the Charles II (2.25pm). The Greenham looks strong enough form, and he certainly looked as though he stayed the trip really well under a considerate ride. It’s hard not to imagine him doing well for that run, and he can take advantage of Ribhi’s suspect stamina at this trip and Noble Truth’s keenness.

ABLE KANE at 9/2 can win a tricky seven-furlong handicap (3.00pm). I took a real liking to this horse last year and feel sure he has more to offer. His comeback here was ok but would surely have been much better had he not fluffed the start and then been rushed into the bridle. This looks a no more competitive race, and he should be thereabouts.

YIBIR is hard to oppose in the Jockey Club Stakes (3.35pm), even at short odds of 1/2. The worry in a race like this would be a tactical affair, but Outbox and West End Charmer should ensure an honest enough gallop.

Goodwood

 AL MUBHIR can follow up his smart debut win last year with success at 9/4 in the televised opener at Goodwood (1.30pm). He is a smartly bred horse who should improve a ton for another winter under his belt, and the standard set is not insurmountable here.

STONE OF DESTINY gets another chance in the sprint handicap (2.40pm). He’s far from the easiest, but looked like winning at Newmarket last time until giving way late and only beaten a short distance. That should have brought him on, and he is on a very tasty mark, which could make his price of 9/2 look good.

GLENARTNEY might be the sleeper at 5/1 in the Daisy Warwick (3.15pm). She has been very sparingly campaigned through a light career but has always shown enough to suggest she has a stakes race in her, often when faced with an inadequate test of stamina. The front of the market looks a little sketchy here.