Nick Luck’s blog: Lord can hit the Board at York

By News Team
14th June 2024

William Hill ambassador Nick Luck looks over the best of this weekend’s racing from York and Sandown, and picks out his best bets.

York, Saturday

Lord Melbourne is the pick at 8/1 in the TV opener at York (1:50pm) on Saturday, where William Hill have a Top Price Guarantee. Only having his second start for Ralph Beckett, he shaped extremely promisingly on his stable debut at Epsom, when repeatedly denied a clear run. On balance, this race is less competitive, he should move forward for the step up in distance and has a vastly experienced jockey on board.

Boardman is the selection at 9/1 in the seven furlong handicap (2:25pm). He was a pretty useful performer in his pomp, and has really slipped down the weights. There was however a deal more encouragement in his most recent start at Chester and track and ground suit ideally.

Salt Bay is worth one more chance at 5/1 in the Grand Cup (3:00pm). He posted an outstanding effort on his comeback at Newbury and his subsequent start may have come too quickly. A little more give in the ground and a genuine test of stamina could well bring about a better performance. Either way, this is an easier race and he is the top rated.

Elmonjed could be the answer to the big sprint (3:35pm). Nothing went right for him here last time when racing apart from the field and appearing to lose his application halfway through the race. He did consent to run on, however, and cheekpieces may help him, so he’s worth chancing at 7/1.

Sandown, Saturday

Farasi Lane is a sporting pick at 14/1 to land the first televised race (2:05pm) at Sandown Park. He has taken his form to a different level for his new trainer this season and is only two pounds higher than when successful in quite taking style at Kempton earlier in the year. His previous run on turf this season was moderate, but he appeared not to handle the track at Newmarket and should be fine here.

Dawn Charger is another at a big price (11/1) to be interested in at Sandown, in the Listed Scurry Stakes (2:40pm). She had some really smart form as a two-year-old, including when not beaten far in the Albany at Royal Ascot. The angle here is a return to better ground, the plum draw and a drop back in trip to five furlongs.