Nap of the Day: Monday’s selection takes us to Chepstow

There are five meetings taking place across Britain and Ireland on Monday, on ground varying from soft, heavy in places to good to firm. That gives us plenty to ponder on the eve of Royal Ascot and there are a grand total of 34 races to go through.

We’ve got you covered however and have picked out our strongest fancy as our Nap of the Day to consider. The horse in question is trained by John O’Shea and returned to winning ways at the same track last time out. Could a follow up success be on the cards?

John O’Shea has had one winner from his nine runners in the last fortnight and will be seeking to add to that tally with recent course winner ROMANOVICH. That was a fifth career win for the six-year-old and it might be a good idea to strike whilst the iron is hot.

This £17,000 purchase has a pretty smart pedigree and initially began his career with Kevin Ryan before joining O’Shea. His dam placed over 7f in her racing days but more importantly, she’s related to St Leger winner Scorpion and US 1m4f Grade 2 winner Dark Angel, whose progeny tend to do well with cut in the ground and this horse is no different.

Chepstow is a happy hunting ground for Romanovich, as three of his five wins have come at the Welsh track. Those successes are slightly undermined by four unplaced efforts, but that’s more of a consistency issue and he tends to produce his best performances here.

It’s worth noting that all three course successes have come over 7f but he won over a mile at Brighton and the trip shouldn’t really be an issue with that in mind. He finished third over course and distance last summer which bodes well for his chances over this trip.

The son of Dark Angel produced a career-best display to win here over 7f last time out and he was in command throughout the entire race. Making all the running that day, he held off his rivals well and they never really looked like catching him.

An official winning distance of three-quarters-of-a-length probably underestimates how much he had in hand and a 4lb rise from the handicapper probably takes that into consideration. Another career-best will be required but he deserves another chance whilst in this form.

Jockey William Carson has been on board for two of his last three victories so it’s a positive that the partnership has been maintained. The going description at the time of writing is good-good to soft in places and that is a massive boost to the gelding’s chances.

Romanovich is unbeaten in two starts on good to soft, with both of those wins coming at Chepstow. This will be the highest mark he has ever raced off but it would be unwise to rule him out, as the six-year-old has plenty in his favour, and this looks like a good opportunity.

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