Nap of the Day: 15/8 Copper a confident choice on Saturday

Friday's fancy was unfortunately a non-runner as Dan Skelton opted to pull all of his intended runners at Exeter on account of the ground.

I was quite confident about her chances so that was disappointing - but not to worry, for my hopes are even higher about the Nap of the Day on Saturday.

When Lucinda Russell describes one as "one of our nicest novice chase prospects" that "should be able to rate much higher over fences than over hurdles," you sit up and take notice.

That's what the Scottish trainer said about CHOOSE A COPPER in a recent stable tour with Sporting Life.

She's long held this six-year-old in high esteem, coughing up £95k for him back in May last year following three runs between the flags in Ireland.

The son of Well Chosen made easy work of nine rivals on his rules debut in a novices' hurdle at Hexham that October, before a fine effort, despite finishing last of three, in a Listed affair at Sandown just before Christmas.

He struggled in the new year, posting a couple of sub-par performances at Kelso in January and March - highly-tried (Grade 2) again on the latter occasion - which resulted in Russell getting his wind done.

That had its desired effect, for he returned over a month later to finish runner-up at Perth on his handicap debut off a mark of 116.

Fast-forward 170 days and off a pound higher, the selection made his debut over fences in a novices' handicap chase at Hexham.

He was a bit keen early and didn't look a natural over the first few fences, but he soon warmed into the race and was jumping for fun in the latter stages, pulling over a length clear of the runner-up Dare To Shout, who had the rest of the field over 21 lengths behind.

I thought it was a great start to life over fences - and it looks even better after the second franked the form by winning comfortably at Carlisle last weekend off a pound higher.

The handicapper raised Choose A Copper to 121 (+4), which I think is very generous. Since learning of his new mark, I've been eagerly-awaiting his next run because I suspect we're looking at a 130+ chaser in the making.

His opposition north of the border looks extremely modest, and I will be bitterly disappointed if he can't make it 2-2 over fences and continue what I fancy will be a steep rise up the handicap this season.

He's my idea of Saturday's best bet.

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