Naps Table Update
Four winners on day one: Luke and Robicheaux 7 had Marracudja (well tipped by resident Hunter Chase expert Harry): Gaz and David had Schalke 13/8. Well done all.
If I've left anyone out, I apologise; please leave a message on this thread and I'll update.
David is officially announced the winner for February. Although it's always nice to land a big priced one, I think the real test in these monthly tables is consistency, and David has been excellent on that front, as were 2nd and 3rd Jonathan and Luke.
David, if you drop me a line at tangovictorindia@icloud.com citing your permission to give your email address to Betfair, I'll see what tickets are available as prizes.
All the best.
Joe
Alberic won 15/8
Sabrina wins at Wincanton at 13/2. I believe our old comrade Moida owns a hair in that one's tail. Well done mate, if you're reading this.
Much appreciated Harry. Made the 11/10 I got look ridiculously generous.
Rio Des Echanault looks all set to win the Mussie hunter chase (4.35). Anything bigger than even money is a good price, I reckon. As a pointer he has become a specialist at Alnwick, a course that takes a bit of knowing, ridden by today's pilot Nick Orpwood. He's trained by Jess McKie who is Tockie McKie's daughter. The McKies are great jumping people. I will also be cheering on Nine Altars for Charlotte Dun, trained by her mum Elizabeth from Heriot in the Borders. Many people who follow northern racing will remember Charlotte's dad Geordie Dun, a very brave and talented jockey of the 1980s who was associated with such good horses as A Kinsman, Earl's Brig and Peaty Sandy.
Late and I'm sure Hughsie would like a winner before he goes on the school run or whatever so
Nap Muss 1455 Leeswood Lily
I'm deserting Ruby's Reward in favour of Honeyball's other runner Glorious Isolation EW, who wasn't given a tough ride LTO and still managed 4th. Could be a different race today. Maybe! Currently in from 9/1 to 6/1. 1615 Wincanton.
My nap today is Donya e.w - 20.30 Kempton
Hope Carmela Soprano can hit the high notes today (Lingfield 1.00).
I'm with Pebbles today. It's a terrible name for a horse, but my nap is Blooriedotcom 4.05 M
Home Fire is a puzzle of a horse. Frankel's progeny always make me sit up and take notice in the NH sphere and this one looked a good thing on paper on his bumper debut at Ayr last April. After all, ex-Juddmonte horses are going to have quality through and through, aren't they? He ran well enough, just fading into fourth close home in what turned out to be a hot race. His dam is Hot Snap who, having won won the Nell Gwynn, started favourite for the 1000 Gns shortly before Henry Cecil died in 2013, but finished down the field. When Julie Cecil took over, Hot Snap didn't seem to train on and went off to the paddocks. Her son Home Fire is her first foal to make the racecourse. He is a big chap and apparently still growing, and needs a galloping track and 20f because he's not the quickest. Today's 16f whizzing around tight Musselburgh (4.05) may be intended to get him ready after a longish break but who knows - he might trot up. (Note that both Frankel and the damsire Pivotal went well on soft ground.) Sometimes I find it hard to fathom Nicky Richards' race planning. I feel sure Home Fire can win races but I'm just watching today.
Fenrir Binding each way in the 15:40 at Wincanton. I added him to my tracker a couple of races ago after a promising run. Pulled up last two races with the usual excuses, so not exactly a confident nap.
Using the thoughts set out yesterday in discussing Marracudja's chances, it would be odd if I opposed Wagner in the Wincanton hunter chase (5.20). After a pipe opener between the flags in January, Matt Hampton took his horse to Hereford for his hunter chase debut. That was a hot race and he needed every yard of 2m5f to get the better of Cousin Pascal (beat Foxhunters hope Bob And Co since) and yesterday's impressive winner Marracudja. Today's trip is a furlong less and on a tight track which is hardly ideal, but I suggest it will be less of an inconvenience to him than to Adrien Du Pont. Paul Nicholls' former useful handicapper is a hold-up horse over three miles, so the brilliant Will Biddick will need all his skills to time his challenge right. Both horses carry an 8lb winner's penalty but Wagner has the benefit of Beau Morgan's 7lb claim. Lurking at the bottom of the weights is the Waley-Cohen pointer Maitree Express who is going to find this company a lot stiffer than open points. Colin Tizzard and Freddie Gingell combine again with West Approach who put in a fine round of jumping in a match at Lingfield. He has always lacked a bit of courage and doesn't like horses around him, so the two NRs this morning will help him, but I wouldn't rely on him in a battle. On ratings Wagner has it to do, but I am keeping faith with that strong form line today in an intriguing renewal of the Woodhouse Memorial HC.
Looks like Paul Nicholls horses are running into form, he has a handful ( literally ) out today at Wincanton worth watching. I'll nap the last of them Adrien Du Pont 17.20 to keep the interest going till end of day.
Jackhammer 16:05 Muss Nap
Roll Of Thunder 2.20 Musselburgh is the nap,well done yesterdays winners.
Alberic nap (15:40)
Blooriedotcom - 16.05 Musselburgh (nap)
Nap 4.50 Wincanton - Justified (each way)
The 19.00 at Kempton Park is not a betting proposition but I am going for Grenoble as my nap who is trading around 4/1
Leeswood lily 2.55M.