Nap of the Day: Take 5/4 about Mullins novice at Thurles

We go to Thurles on Thursday for the Nap of the Day, eyeing up a Willie Mullins-trained novice hurdler bidding to make it third time lucky under rules.

At Fairyhouse in January last year, all eyes were on a certain Romeo Coolio making his racecourse debut.

Gordon Elliott's son of Kayf Tara went into County Meath with a huge reputation, so it was surprising to see him so weak in the pre-race betting.

It was Willie Mullins' YORADREAMER who attracted significant support, almost displacing Romeo Coolio - who went on to finish runner-up in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival and is second favourite for this season's Supreme Novices' Hurdle - at the head of the market.

That support wasn't rewarded, with the six-year-old fading tamely into fifth, failing to beat a rival home, having made most of the running at a slow pace.

However, the subsequent 397-day layoff suggests he wasn't 100%, so I'm willing to forgive him for it. Even if my suspicion is wrong, every horse is allowed an off day.

On his return at Clonmel last month, in a maiden hurdle over the minimum trip, he showed a lot more encouragement in finishing second to Gavin Cromwell's 123-rated Addragoole, who looked booked for second behind Mullins' Festival-bound Funiculi Funicula previously.

That's decent form in the context of Thursday's contest and the selection ought to be capable of better yet, especially on forecast quicker ground which promises to suit this gelding out of American-bred Flat horse Yorgunnabelucky.

I don't think he needs to improve much, if at all, to land this. He already sets the standard as far as I'm concerned and I don't envisage enough improvement from his main market rival Joyeuse Royale and Love At Sea.

Mon Coeur is hard to advise after 508 days off the track (756 days since his last race over jumps), while Mister Box has nearly 10 lengths to find on the selection. That form should be confirmed.

The one I fear most is Gavin Cromwell's Dunkerque. A Flat recruit from Denmark, the uniquely-bred five-year-old held a Supreme entry until recently, so must show plenty on the gallops at home.

However, he's been off the track for nearly 600 days and this is his hurdling debut, so hopefully he very much needs the run. Watch him closely in the market.

All in all, this looks a good opportunity for Yoradreamer to get off the mark and any odds-against value appeals.

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