Nap of the Day: 7/2 De Romay gets another chance to be our hero

Frustration was the overwhelming emotion on Thursday, as my Nap of the Day - whom I fancied quite strongly - was withdrawn on account of the ground. To add salt to the wounds, the race in question was won by a 100/1 chance...

Anyway, we dust off and go again 24 hours later, as a Kim Bailey-trained novice chaser carries the weight of my expectation.

I tipped HEROS DE ROMAY on chase debut at Haydock earlier this month and he failed to oblige, but I'm willing to give Kim Bailey's seven-year-old another chance at Uttoxeter on Friday afternoon.

The half-brother to talented stablemate Espoir De Romay, a 160-rated chaser at his peak, ran well for a long way on Merseyside, but got tired late in the show and ultimately faded into fourth, 11½ lengths off a progressive winner.

Bailey said the following day that he probably found the trip "on the long side" and that he will "come on loads" for the outing.

The handicapper was less than impressed, dropping him two pounds. I think that's very generous, especially in context as he drops into Class 4 company and tackles a slightly easier trip (2m4f).

As I wrote around two weeks ago, I've long thought Heros De Romay would prove a much better chaser than hurdler. Again, that's a view shared by his trainer, who said in a recent stable tour with AtTheRaces that the son of My Risk "is very much a chaser, not a hurdler".

He certainly looked like one at Haydock. He's a big, strong horse and I thought he jumped very well in the main. A poor leap at the last can be put down to fatigue.

I felt he was well-handicapped off a mark of 122, so it's no surprise I fancy him quite strongly here off a further reduced rating, with a run under his belt and in easier-looking company. It was a good race he found a bit too hot at Haydock, but this looks modest enough.

Dan Skelton's Flash In The Park could be progressive and looks the main danger, though he was practically all out to win the last day and this is a fair step up in class and he has to defy a four-pound rise.

Knockanore, Clonakilty and Taras Halls also have half a chance in my book, but I'd be rather surprised if any of the rest were up to winning this. Heros De Romay should prove a cut above under the circumstances.

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