NAP of the Day: Masaccio should prove too good at Newbury

Keep your fingers and toes crossed that Newbury survives Saturday morning's inspection, so the NAP of the Day gets a run.

Nicky Henderson's Jingko Blue has opened a marginal favourite for this novices' hurdle over 2m4f at Newbury on Saturday, presumably due to his £225,000 price tag and the fact his main rival is penalised.

The four-year-old makes some appeal, but I thought he looked very much like a work in progress when comfortably beaten, by a 12/1 shot, at 4/7f on his hurdling debut at Warwick last month.

The same can't be said for Alan King's Massacio, who is two years older and much more experienced having contested five bumpers over the last few years.

He kept good company in that discipline, recording RPRs of 105, 115, 114, 119 and 118 - the latter coming in the Grade 2 won by Florida Dreams at the Aintree Festival back in April. Watch that back, if you get a minute, and keep an eye out for the yellow silks and black hat. Talk about a troubled passage...

Anyway, he re-appeared this term with a taking victory in a maiden hurdle at Chepstow in late October. That form was given a fair boost when Harry Fry's Beat The Bat, who was well-backed before finishing behind the selection in Wales, got the better of the talked-up Welcom To Cartries at Ascot the other week.

That looks strong form and I particularly loved his attitude. The way he battled to get back up after being headed for a moment was great to see, and is a trait I love in horses I want to bet on - certainly in these early-season races against inexperienced novices.

Of the other 12 runners, I wouldn't rule out Emailandy for top connections but the rest would frankly be surprise winners in my book.