NAP of the Day: Klarc Kent can deliver Ladies National for superman Mullins

There is lots more racing action in store on Saturday afternoon, March 30, with six cards across Britain and Ireland.

Jumps fare comes from Carlisle, Haydock and Fairyhouse, while they race on the Flat at Cork and Musselburgh in the afternoon, before an evening card on the all-weather at Wolverhampton.

Our NAP goes on day one of the Irish Grand National Festival at Fairyhouse, with the excellent Jody Townend fancied to bag the Ladies National for Willie Mullins

15:55 Fairyhouse - Klarc Kent @ 11/4

It has been a quiet spell for Willie Mullins since the dust settled at Cheltenham, with six winners sent out from 34 runners (before racing on Saturday) across the fortnight or so since the Cotswolds.

That certainly would not be unexpected and neither would it be a surprise if Ireland's powerhouse handler cranks things back up a notch or two with the Irish Grand National meeting getting underway at Fairyhouse on Saturday afternoon.

The 17-time champion trainer is left with nine runners on day one following the late defection of Annamix from the Hunters Chase, and amongst the most interesting of them may be KLARC KENT in the Fred Kenny Memorial Ladies National Handicap Chase over just shy of two-and-three-quarter-miles.

He's eight years old and arrives into this challenge with eight starts under Rules behind him.

He made his chasing bow at Punchestown (3m, heavy) back on New Year's Eve in a beginners' contest won by Monty's Star - a devilishly tough starting point given the winner found only Fact To File too strong at Cheltenham on his next start in the Grade 1 Brown Advisor Novices' Chase.

It was another stiff ask at Navan in January when Klarc Kent fell two out in a beginners' event won by Minella Cocooner, his stablemate, as the favourite saw off Senior Chief in second.

It was the subsequent win of that Henry de Bromhead-trained runner that brings Klarc Kent to notice now, as they finished first and third in a Punchestown (2m7f, heavy) beginners' contest, for which Senior Chief was 2/9fav.

He was forced to pull out the stops to fend off Gordon Elliott's Duffle Coat, with Klarc Kent beaten just 2¾-lengths into third spot.

The winner was assessed a rating of 142 after that, while Klarc Kent debuts in a handicap off a mark of 125 now. He has already handled heavy ground and his Clonmel bumper win suggests this slight drop back in distance will be no source of concern.

Jody Townend is best known for her bumper exploits, boasting a stunning 28 per cent strike-rate (47-169) in that sphere, but she's 3-10 riding in chases and this Ladies National could prove a really clever piece of placement from the maestro who is WP Mullins.

Nap of the Day, from Betfred Insights.