Commanche Falls to be the Beverley Bullet
William Hill ambassador Nick Luck previews the ITV Racing action on Saturday from across Beverley, Sandown and Chester.
Beverley, Saturday
WALTER HARTRIGHT is the pick in a small field TV opener at Beverley on Saturday (1.30), William Hill’s Top Price Guarantee race on the day. Both he and Quietness have had excellent seasons, but the selection arguably showed he was open to even more progress on his recent start despite defeat. He ran into subsequent York runner up Lieber Power that day, and in receipt of a chunk of weight from the filly, who herself has been bunged up 6 pounds for winning a thin race, he can pick up the winning thread.
COMMANCHE FALLS is my idea of the William Hill Beverley Bullet winner (2.05). He hasn’t won for a bit, but there has been significant encouragement in his last two starts and he’s well worth a try at a stiff, well run five furlongs. With Democracy Dilemma drawn next door, he should get a suitably blistering tempo to run at, and I loved the way he finished off at York last Saturday.
Sandown, Saturday
ACCIDENTAL AGENT is more than a sentimental pick to roll back the years in the first TV race at Sandown (1.50). This is the lowest grade he’s contested on turf for an absolute age, and he ran a perfectly respectable race on his comeback. Even a repeat of that puts him somewhere in the mix against this lot, while you can expect the rider to know him better in a race, too.
NAOMI LAPAGLIA is undoubtedly big each way value in the Atalanta Stakes (2.25). She’s a half sister to Group One performer Rogue Millennium, and – like her – she’ll be seen at her best coming late off a swinging tempo at a mile. She’ll likely get that here, where she didn’t at Ascot behind the very smart Friendly Soul and the reopposing Doom (who is inexplicably half her price). Clearly Tamfana will be tough, but the standard is not as stiff as the marker suggests.
BALMACARA still has more to offer in the ten furlong handicap (3.00). Although the handicapper was severe after last time, the front pair were a mile clear, and the third ran well enough in a competitive race next time. That was Balmacara’s first effort over anything like this trip, and slightly better ground will place a little less emphasis on stamina.
ROYAL PLAYWRIGHT can remain unbeaten in a warm looking edition of the Solario (3.35). Field of Gold was impressive at the July Festival, but he’d had the benefit of experience, while the selection was making his debut when creating a very strong impression at Salisbury. This stable’s horses are normally well above average if they win on debut and, as a half sibling to smart York winner Sea the Fire out of Group One winner Arabian Queen, he should be at least up to this level.
Chester, Saturday
CARRYTHEONE might have another day in him at Chester in what has been a really productive season (2.40). He’s meeting some out of form horses and a few that are less exposed but not obviously well handicapped. I’d rather play the straight bat here with a welcome drop in grade.
SAMUI is the suggestion in the Listed event at Chester (3.15). There are plenty wanting a hold-up ride and my suspicion is that Samui will revert to forcing tactics back at this trip after his creditable second off a big weight at York last Wednesday. He may not need cheekpieces, but they won’t hurt if that’s the plan.