Nick Luck’s William Hill Blog: If Not a winner Now, when?

The broadcaster and journalist has cast his expert eye over the Saturday cards at Lingfield, Ascot and Haydock.

Lingfield, Saturday

IF NOT NOW can take the TV opener at Lingfield (1.50pm). Lightly raced and highly regarded, he ended last season weakly, but easier promise suggests there should be a fair bit more to come, and that tame effort could be put down to the ground. Aimeric clearly looks a formidable opponent, but the market has well and truly worked that out.

RUBIES ARE RED is surely a little overpriced in the Oaks trial (2.25pm). Sure, she’s still a maiden, but you’re familiar with the stable’s MO with this type of horse by now and – having shown clear ability and being a sister to Found, who just kept on and on improving, there must be a strong chance she’s much better than she’s shown. Undoubtedly Danielle created a striking impression at Wetherby, but she beat very little.

DEFIANCE can repel the Ballydoyle challenge in the Derby trial (3.00pm). I was really taken with his run at Lingfield, closing off with some smart fractions, only defeated down to his early position in a tempo led affair. There seems less chance of a false pace here, however, and he can turn himself into a meaningful Derby contender.

SIRONA might just be a sneaky each way chance in the Chartwell (3.35pm). She had a rather haphazard campaign last year, but did well to bounce back from a gruelling run in the Cheshire Oaks to post some decent efforts against hard-knocking handicappers at the big Festivals. Although this seems like a big step up in grade, I’m not sure it really is, Remarquee apart. If she’s been sweetened up by a change of scenery, Sirona is more than capable of a bold shoe over this sort of trip.

Ascot, Saturday

KING OF THE PLAINS is the pick on debut for James Horton in the first of the TV races at Ascot (1.30pm). He hadn’t done improving at the end of last year, has been gelded and gets a top rider. He looks sure to be primed for this seasonal bow.

ZOUZANNA can take the fillies’ handicap (2.05pm). She looked quite promising when winning here last autumn, but didn’t really build on that. As a result, she’s off a mark just three pounds higher. Given her likely progression and her proven ability to deliver first time out, she could easily return successfully to the scene of the crime.

PEARLE D’OR is a boring pick in the Victoria Cup (2.40pm),  but he looks sure to run a huge race for Silvestre De Sousa. Proven here, and with his hood back on, he can show that his Newmarket run was simply a pipe-opener. Popmaster and The Wizard Of Eye are taken to follow him home.

Saturday, Haydock

AURIGNY MILL is an each way pick at a huge price in the Swinton Hurdle at Haydock (3.15pm). He looked quite smart at Kempton before sinking in the Newbury gloop in the Betfair Hurdle. He looked for all the world like he needed the run back from a break at Chepstow, and a frenetic race on quickish ground should be right up his street.