NAP of the Day: 11/2 shot can capitalise on lower hurdles mark

We're crossing the Irish Sea for Thursday's NAP, as I chance a relatively highly-rated chaser capitalising on a significantly lower hurdles mark.

On his form between August 2021-September 2022, I'd be going nowhere near The Banger Doyle for this 80-109 handicap hurdle over 2m4½f.

The seven-year-old, who's a half-brother to Grade 2 winner Sebastopol, showed a fair amount of ability in bumpers for previous trainer Keith Watson, but he could never replicate it over hurdles.

He ran three times in that sphere and showed precious little - and it was a similar story on his first four starts for current handler John Queally.

Not until he was sent chasing earlier this year, anyway. On the face of it, The Banger Doyle improved two, maybe even three stone for jumping fences.

Was it that, or did he just get better with age/experience? That's the big question, as in the selection we've got a 128-rated chaser who's running off a mark of just 106.

If he's even nearly as good as he's been over fences since, he looks incredibly well-handicapped - especially when you factor in the 5lb claim of Aidan Kelly, who should be full of confidence after finishing second on Gavin Cromwell's Limerick Lace in the Troytown on Sunday.

The main danger is without a doubt Gordon Elliott's Hunting Brook, who's currently second reserve. He would have been my NAP of the Day if he was guaranteed a run, so hopeful he's denied one.

Ishan is also a big threat and should be respected, but I think The Banger Doyle is well worth chancing given what he could have in hand of the handicapper.