Nick Luck’s blog: Look to Lucky before Cheltenham

We’re just three sleeps away from Cheltenham, but before we get stuck into the action at Prestbury Park, there’s some good racing at Sandown and Wolverhampton to enjoy.

Nick Luck’s fancies are below…

Sandown

GEORGES SAINT is quite an interesting outsider in the EBF Final at Sandown on Saturday (1.50pm) at 25/1. Quite experienced in France, he ran a really tidy race behind a 125-rated rival first time at Haydock beer finishing tamely at Exeter. He looks quite well treated, won’t mind the softening ground, should like the step up in trip and has had a breathing op into the bargain.

LUCKY ONE might be the answer to the Imperial Cup (2.25pm) at 13/2. He’s not a particularly reliable customer, but he showed way more for much of the race at Ascot, suggesting he was ready to cone to the boil back down in distance. He will be very happy with any more rain, gets the stable jockey for the first time, and may well be given a more forcing ride this afternoon. William Hill are paying seven places here too!

MULLENBEG looks a really good favourite to me in the mares’ bumper (3.00pm) at 11/8. Shed have probably been the shortest of the Brits if she’d lined up against geldings next week, but this looks a golden opportunity for more black type.

SCENE NOT HERD (11/4) can rack up the four-timer in the race that used to be at the Festival (3.35pm). Although this is a step up in grade, he’s well up to it judged on the way he travels and is meeting some slightly iffy (if in-form) rivals at the front of the market. It’s not impossible he could get the lead here and have it all his own way.

Wolverhampton

MIGHTY GURKHA is given a chance in the TV opener at Wolverhampton (1.31pm) at 7/1. The handicapper has given him a right chance after a so-so season last year, but he operates really well under today’s conditions, is nicely enough drawn and might well be caught best off bit of a break to ginger him up.

DANCE FEVER looks a mighty price at 12/1 in the Lincoln Trial (2.05pm) and I’m keen to get involved each-way. Nearly all his good form last summer makes him interesting here, and it is encouraging that he took a massive step forward for his seasonal debut run last year. Although last, he didn’t run that badly at Southwell, and this track and trip could well be more suitable.

MISTY GREY (7/2) has a great record at Wolverhampton (2.40pm) and can conclude Tom Dascombe’s tenure at Manor House stables in perfect style. This gelding gives of his best almost every time he runs, this should be well run to suit and he should be a reasonable price owing to a far from ideal draw.

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