NAP of the Day: Puddles can make a splash

Jumps action on Monday comes from Newton Abbot, with a seven-race offering from 14:13-17:13.

My NAP of the Day runs in their second race and is fancied to snare a first success over fences for trainer Evan Williams.

This 0-110 handicap chase over 3m2f sees seven contenders tackling a journey of three-and-a-quarter-miles around Newton Abbot and the Class 4 event can go the way of PUDDLESINTHEPARK for the Evan and Isabel Williams team.

The son of Walk In The Park had just one start in Ireland, finishing second in a February 2022 point-to-point for Colin Bowe.

He took his time to adjust to racing under Rules for this handler, but was in the winners' enclosure at Ffos Las (3m, good) in March 2023 on his fifth start over timber.

He ended last season with a pleasing second at Worcester (2m7f, good) on his chasing bow and was fairly consistent in five runs since his return in October.

The best of those efforts came at Chepstow (2m7½f, soft) in March when he was denied a head behind low-mileage improver Shady B whilst attempting to give 9lb to the winner.

Previous to that, he had finished a sound third at Plumpton (3m1½f, soft) at the start of March, form advertised by the first, second and fifth home all winning since.

This left-handed course should once more play to his strengths and he can be produced from a handy position to get his head in front where it matters by his 3lb claiming rider, having inched up the bare minimum in the ratings for that near miss in Wales 60 days ago.

With No Tackle coming down last time at Bangor and Danton lacking experience over fences, Puddlesinthepark can make his experience in this code count as he gets plenty of weight from that duo.

Top-weight Fortunefavorsdbold, meanwhile, represents trainer Christian Williams but appears to have lost his way somewhat and, all told, this looks to be a very presentable opportunity for the six-year-old Puddlesinthepark to break his duck over the larger obstacles, having given clear indication last time out that his time should be approaching.