Nick Luck’s William Hill Blog: Al could Dance into the lead

William Hill ambassador Nick Luck casts his expert eye over today’s racing at Sandown, Leicester and Haydock.

STEEL ALLY can land the TV opener on Sandown’s jumps finale this afternoon (1.50pm). It has quickly emerged that he’s a much better horse on a sounder surface, and he seemed outgunned by a more sparingly ridden and battle hardened horse last time. Still, he travelled with such purpose that it’s hard not to believe he’s ahead of his mark, and he should be thereabouts throughout.

AL DANCER might spring a minor surprise for the same stable in the Oaksey (2.25pm). There are some serious questions to ask of the market principals in terms of their consistency and current form, but those comments don’t apply to the selection, who is arguably in the form of his life and doesn’t have much to find. His style of racing should suit Sandown’s chase track, and he’s always been better on this ground.

JONBON might be a little further away from El Fabiolo’s price than he should be in the Celebration Chase (3.00pm). His Sandown record gives him a hefty home court advantage and he was particularly good when thumping Captain Guinness in this last year. He is unlikely to be ridden cautiously and may well get the run of the race on a surface that should be more to his liking than Aintree, when his class and guts saw him home.

LE MILOS can win the bet365 Gold Cup (3.35pm). He’s only run twice over fences since his Newbury heroics (was only 3lbs lower) last season, a warm-up for Aintree and last year’s National itself. He’s been keeping himself ticking over hurdles this year, but this sort of test on this ground is surely what he wants and he must run well if he retains his ability, which looked likely for much of the race in the Pertemps final.

MAGIC MEMORIES gets the nod in a pretty warm TV handicap at Leicester (2.05pm). He was behind a few of these in the Spring Mile, but he didn’t get the clearest of passages and is entitled to improve for the run. Gary Moore has struck with a couple of his Flat turf horses this week, and he’s making sure with a pretty decent claimer.

TACARIB BAY has lots in his favour in the Haydock feature (2.45pm). He loves this track, goes on any ground, and is perfectly well handicapped both on his best form here and his stronger AW efforts in the winter.