Nap of the Day: History to repeat for Skeltons at Sandown

It’s been a frustrating couple of days for Nap of the Day followers. Firstly, Walkadina was chinned on the line at Ludlow on Wednesday and then Scorsese was done in similar fashion at Wincanton on Thursday.

Fingers crossed for a change of fortune on Friday, courtesy of a recent winner for the column.

HIDDEN HISTORY was a 3/1 winner for us just under a month ago, and I'm backing Dan Skelton's seven-year-old to go in again at Sandown on Friday.

Prior to his seasonal reappearance and debut over fences at Aintree exactly 27 days ago, I made no secret about how much I believe the son of Schiaparelli to have in hand.

I wrote: "If I had to put a number on it, I'd say he could easily be up to 10 pounds ahead of the handicapper."

I maintain that view, so the fact he's only been raised a couple of pounds for his last-gasp victory over Theatre Man and the reopposing Champagne Twist is very pleasing.

Especially when you consider he wasn't fully fit on Merseyside. Skelton warned punters that he'd need the run, which makes it all the more impressive. He should come on plenty.

For those who didn't follow me in last time, I'll repeat the case for this progressive horse.

The £45k point-to-point winner did it nicely on his first start for the Skeltons after leaving Chris Gordon's yard at the start of the year, beating Jonjo & A J O'Neill's Wellington Arch by over three lengths in a 2m4f handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter.

That rival went on to frank the form in no uncertain terms, winning a £42k prize at Aintree's Grand National Meeting off three pounds higher before finishing third in a Listed affair at the Punchestown Festival. He's rated 13lbs higher today.

Hidden History was then runner-up to Rambo T for Olly Murphy, who landed the £39k Silver Trophy at the Welsh Racing Festival at Chepstow in October, at Perth. That one's climbed 10 pounds in the handicap.

He's done very little wrong since joining new connections and Friday's assignment doesn't look any more difficult than the one he faced in Liverpool.

Champagne Twist is just two pounds better off and needs to find as many lengths on a horse expected to improve considerably. He should also take a step forward, but I'll be surprised if there's quite as much to come. Ben Pauling's are often pretty ready first time out.

Welcom To Cartries is very inconsistent and his chasing debut at Cheltenham's Showcase Meeting in October was frankly dire. I couldn’t back him with stolen after that.

New Order also needs to put a disastrous run behind him, while Tommy The Tank has a 252-day layoff to overcome. The bigger-priced Kelce, Ideal Des Bordes, In d'Or and Java Point are hard to advise in this company.

I’ve already said Hidden History could be a money spinner for the all-conquering Skeltons this season, and I can see him picking up another £9k in Surrey.

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