Nap of the Day: Cheltenham’s back and we’re Nap-happy!

Exciting times. It's the first Cheltenham raceday of the season on Friday - seven cracking contests that start at 13:15 and run through to 16:45. The ITV cameras are covering the first five, one of which contains my Nap Of The Day.

Fiendishly competitive of course, and all showcased within the confines of that verdant amphitheatre that's played host to the best there's ever been in our sport. Let battle commence ...

13:50 Cheltenham

Fast Racing Results

13:50 Cheltenham - King Of Kingsfield @ 9/4

This is a good-looking novices' chase with some very familiar names from the upper reaches of racing royalty taking part.

The mighty Gordon Elliott saddles two; he's opposed by the Skeltons, win-machine Sean Bowen and his main supplier Olly Murphy, plus the redoubtable Paul Nicholls and Gavin Cromwell.

Two miles is the trip and the contest might just confirm a good one or more - wouldn't that be something? My selection is one of Gordon's County Meath raiders; King Of Kingsfield.

The seven-year-old gelding was the best of these over hurdles, rated 143, and he kept pretty good company without being able to better a very fine second in the G1 Royal Bond Novices' Hurdle in 2023.

Chasing could well be his forte, especially judging on the last time we saw him on a racecourse, nine days ago at Punchestown (proper, big, galloping Grade 1 track). He took the G3 Carvill's Hill Novices' by 2.5l at just in excess of this minimum trip and going the extra couple of furlongs successfully will do no harm to his prospects here, as we know all about the additional stamina questions posed by Cheltenham's undulations, and that punishing climb to the line.

The Elliott battalions appear in pretty fine fettle right now and though several recent entries have had to settle for places he really made hay in America last weekend at Far Hills, taking five on the card including the US Grand National.

Stable jockey Jack Kennedy was on four of them, and he's got the riding assignment at jumping HQ this afternoon. He's ridden this fella in all of his last four starts, yielding three wins and a close-up third in another G3.

There's a solid look to the body of work he's laying down as a novice chaser and he might be quite smart. He's already more than useful, and must shoulder joint topweight of 11st 12lb given that he's won a couple of chases at Class 1 or 2 and above, meaning an 8lb penalty; but for me he's earned it and appeals as the likeliest winner.

Seeing one in the legendary colours of the Gigginstown Stud tackling that famous hill reminds us that the winter game is well and truly upon us.

Nap Of The Day with Betfred Insights.