Nap of the Day: 9/2? That’s Lovely, Man

It's jumps racing and unfortunately Tuesday's selection Fingle Bridge found getting from A to B a bit of a struggle at Ayr. 

So, Nap of the Day followers will have to wait at least another 24 hours for a winner, which hopefully comes from Fairyhouse on Wednesday.

If proving as effective back over hurdles, THE LOVELY MAN could take a bit of beating at Fairyhouse on Wednesday.

The seven-year-old son of Mastercraftsman joined Gold Cup-winning trainer Gavin Cromwell early last year, after going 0-12 for Colm Murphy over a 24-month period starting in December 2022.

On his debut for new connections, at Naas in November, the half-brother to Grade 3 winner Our Power was an encouraging third of nine in a novices' handicap chase off a mark of 114.

That rating was unchanged ahead of his subsequent visit to Navan for an open-company handicap over three miles before Christmas, and he recorded his first-ever victory, running out a five-length winner.

He's now a 124-rated chaser, but runs off 10lbs lower - with claimer jockey Eoin Staples taking off a further five - back over the smaller obstacles. That could prove a gift.

Of course, the selection needs to be able to translate his form, which isn't always how it plays out. However, he was competitive in handicap hurdles off marks in the mid-high 110s a couple of years ago, so he's shown a liking for it before.

This is a deep enough race for the grade, with the likes of Found A Diamond, Dippedinmoonlight and Find A Fortune posing a significant threat, but I can't escape the potential The Lovely Man has off this mark.

Gavin Cromwell's form is a slight concern and I'd be happier with a bit more cut in the ground, but at the prices this is Nap material.

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