Nap of the Day: Bailey chaser to continue winning spree

Monday's racing in Britain comprises two afternoon meetings over jumps from Carlisle and Southwell before the evening fare on the Tapeta at Wolverhampton.

Our NAP has made a bright start to his career over fences for Kim Bailey and is fancied to remain unbeaten as a chaser.

Today's Horse Races

14:05 Southwell - Salt Rock @ 2/1

Kim Bailey saddles SALT ROCK in the Grace And Dotty Fedora's And Feathers Handicap Chase over the extended two-and-a-half-mile trip at Southwell and the promising seven-year-old is fancied to defy top weight and make it 3-3 over fences.

It has taken his career some time to get up to speed but he is now making up for lost time.

He was tailed off on debut in a bumper at Warwick in March 2023 and missed 253 days afterwards. He then finished a remote third behind Gidleigh Park at Exeter in November of that same year, with Harry Fry's charge going on to earn Grade 2 novice successes both over hurdles and fences.

Salt Rock, meanwhile, was absent again for the guts of a year after that run, returning with a low key showing in a maiden hurdle at Chepstow at the start of November.

He was then third in a novice heat at Kempton later in the month but has made his mark quickly since he has been switched to chasing.

The Soldier Of Fortune gelding scored at Hereford (2m, good to soft) four days before Christmas, jumping well and fighting off Paddy In The Caddy as that rival was denied a hat-trick following wins at Warwick and Hereford.

Salt Rock headed for Doncaster late last month and was moved up in trip, running over 2m3f. He was patiently ridden by Tom Bellamy and came through to challenge at the second last before coming clear to win by just over two lengths from Awaythelad.

Two of the beaten horses from that contest, Yealand and One More Stroke, have both come out and won their next starts.

Salt Rock will race from a 6lb higher mark now, carrying top weight as he faces eight rivals in this Class 4 contest. The main threat may come from Immortal Fame, winner at Ayr and Uttoxeter in his last two starts and with form figures of 211 since he joined Deborah Cole from Tom Lacey.

He is more exposed than Salt Rock, however, and the Bailey inmate is readily preferred as the likelier hat-trick hero now.

Nap Of The Day from Betfred Insights.