Nap of the Day: Novice can follow up

Fine racing on Sunday as Doncaster and Musselburgh provide the UK flat action – while there’s Listowel across the Irish Sea over the jumps.

For the NAP I’m going over the water, and a fascinating little novice chase contested by some of the biggest yards in Ireland.

Some notable trainers and jockeys for that matter line up for this Rated Novice Chase over 2m 1f.

Gordon Elliott handles my selection, and as a hurdler he was thought handy enough to run at the likes of Punchestown, and the Cheltenham Festival (Coral Cup). He was a respectable performer over the smaller obstacles, and when sent chasing around 5 weeks ago he made virtually all at Wexford to score readily.

He has no fancy entries at this point, but apart from some potential early closers there wouldn’t be much around at this stage. The jump season ‘proper’ only truly cranks up in the coming weeks, but Riaan looks promising and connections will doubtless hope there’s fun to be had with him.

He’s only 6 years old, and returned a very commendable Racing Post rating for that Wexford success. He’s entitled to improve for the experience, and could well be in line to attempt to make all again as he drops back 3f in trip. That is of some slight concern but one has to trust the trainer, a prolific scorer over many, many seasons, to have weighed the options.

Of the opposition, it’s full of potential dangers. Henry De Bromhead, Joseph O’Brien and the great Willie Mullins are three of the four who oppose, and their charges could prove troublesome. Outsider The Dasher Conway has won a ‘chase, so it’s a lively little heat.

Elliott is having winners, and I’m hoping this can be another. Make all, keep finding, repel all would-be boarders. That’s the plan in my head – let’s see how it all pans out!

Just a word about that wonderful Leger day on Saturday – we tipped up in the ITV Racing piece both Iberian and Leger winner Continuous, and with the King and Queen in attendance too wasn’t it just a brilliant day for the sport? Hope you enjoyed it.