Nap of the Day: It takes two to Tango

Our winning run unfortunately came to an end on Wednesday, but it was never going to last forever and hopefully we can regain the winning thread just 24 hours later as we go to Wincanton for the Nap of the Day.

It takes two to tango, and Patrick Mullins can prove the perfect partner for NO NO TANGO in this 0-110 amateur jockeys' handicap chase over 2m4f.

It goes without saying that Mullins, who's won the Irish amateur jockeys' championship 16 times and has 20 Grade 1 victories to his name, is a huge advantage in these contests.

He travels across the Irish Sea for the sole purpose of riding this unexposed seven-year-old on his debut for the in-form Harry Derham.

The selection showed a relatively decent level of form over hurdles during the 2022/23 season while under the care of Charlie Longsdon, reaching a mark of 112 after a couple of placed efforts in spring last year.

Over 200 days later, following a wind op, he made his debut over fences in a Hereford handicap in November last year and finished fourth of seven, beaten over 13 lengths. Under the circumstances, that wasn't too bad a run.

He missed an engagement later that month on account of unsuitable ground (heavy), then I assume he had a setback for he wasn't seen again.

The handicapper has dropped him four pounds in the meantime, which I think is very generous. He's only seven and unexposed, especially over the bigger obstacles, so he could be on a fairly handy mark if fit and healthy after those suspected issues and a long layoff.

That's the key. If fitness was guaranteed then I'd be even more confident, for there's lots to like about his chances. The fact Mr. Derham has been among the winners lately, including at Fairyhouse on Sunday when he took a lucrative handicap hurdle, is another plus.

I'd say this is one of his easiest assignments on paper. Hunter Legend is respected due to the outstanding form of Venetia Williams, but he was poor on seasonal reappearance and needs to bounce back.

Climbing is the other one I fear somewhat. Jamie Snowden's six-year-old won with something to spare off a mark of 102 last time out and with the highly-capable William Biddick in the saddle, he tries to defy a seven-pound rise. I don't think that was a great race, though, and I'm left wondering where the sudden improvement came from.

Otherwise, it's an extremely modest field and I'd be very disappointed if No No Tango wasn't capable of seeing them off. I fancy he can finish in front of the other two as well.

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