Nap of the Day: Bath Time for Moore novice

I'm drawn to Bath's seven-race card on Thursday for my Nap Of the Day, and note that jockey David Probert could well have a very exciting afternoon in that beautiful little corner of Somerset.

In the very first contest on the programme I fear we won't be too shocked to find we'll be a firm favourite, but in my view the horse's chance is so undeniable and outstanding that I've just got to go there. So it's to the Bath 12:58 we venture, on Thursday October 31.

Today's Horse Races

12:58 Bath - Call Time @ 8/15

I mentioned in the introduction one D Probert, a very fine, extremely accomplished jockey, and he's on board here with a three-year-old Soldier's Call gelding, trained by Stan Moore in Upper Lambourn.

Some of the sport's top jocks will be absent, having jetted off to Del Mar for the Breeders' Cup, and for me David is right up there with most of his peers - Group races, all-weather, a variety of tracks; you name it, he's invariably equal to the task.

Call Time is a relatively experienced performer, having appeared seven times over the last two seasons. No victory to report just yet, but plenty of positives to suggest that's a situation about to change.

This is a novice stakes race, with the combatants carrying the same weight (bar one, the filly Rebel Star, who gets the 5lb fairer sex allowance).

Call Time has comfortably the best official mark of the three who have one, and the other two entries comprise the aforementioned filly who's yet to run, and a four-year-old who has run just once, slowly away and beaten 13l last week over 7f on the all-weather.

What's certainly worth mentioning is that the filly is trained by the outstanding Robert Cowell, so she might attract a bit of support - all the better to potentially help our price, perhaps, which at the moment is rather more prohibitive than I'd like - but I'm hoping that will change.

Rosenpur from the Jennie Candlish yard should have his supporters too, balancing the books a touch, with luck. The price will be what it will be, but there's enough intrigue to think that there will be viable alternatives for those who wish to seek them.

I'd advise waiting until nearer the off, and if we're anywhere near evens or a shade of odds-on, play. If we're in 1/2, or 2/5 territory, it's a 'use in doubles/trebles/multiples' job for me.

The predicted going for Thursday is soft, hardly a shock given prevailing weather conditions, and the trip is 5f. Call Time last ran at Ffos Las 78 days ago, being narrowly denied on heavy ground at this same, minimum trip, in a basement handicap. He's had a nice break after quite a busy summer, and one hopes he'll be straight, and fresh.

That ability to perform to a decent level under testing conditions is priceless, and the third in that heat has subsequently won two and been second twice as well, so though at a modest level, the form has depth and substance. The selection pops back into novice company, and David has ridden him the last twice.

Call Time's sire won a Group 3 on good-to-soft but wasn't required to shine on anything deeper, yet on Ffos Las evidence some cut is clearly no problem for Probert's mount. Also, he's run over further with credit, and that's no bad thing at the business end, helping to hit the line and run through it with conviction.

The stable is pretty quiet but has had horses placed of late, including under this jockey - and David rode a winner at Newbury the other day to land a nice pot in a Class 3 handicap.

I'm crossing my fingers that the price isn't too naughty on the off but I'm attracted hugely to his chance. There's always that option as mentioned of popping it in an acca or similar, with other fancies from this or other sports that might appeal.

A winner's a winner and all that - all we require now is for horse and rider to do the necessary. I'm hoping as I say for a little movement price-wise in the direction of evens, which frankly I'd be delighted with.

Nap Of The Day with Betfred Insights.