Nap of the Day: 7/1 Gerry to take veteran honours at Plumpton

We go to Plumpton - pending inspection at 08:00 - for the Nap of the Day as an attractively-handicapped 10-year-old is taken to make a successful switch to veteran company.

Veterans' chases aren't usually my cup of tea, but I make BLACK GERRY a great bet for this 0-125 handicap over 3m1½f at Plumpton on Tuesday.

Gary & Josh Moore's 10-year-old began last season off a career-high mark of 142, following successive victories in Class 2 company during the spring of 2023, but dropped 10lbs by the end of term.

The son of Westerner and half-brother to Grand National winner Minella Times was pulled-up in a red-hot renewal of the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on reappearance, prior to a respectable effort in the Howden at Ascot over Christmas. He failed to complete again at Kempton in February and then fell at the second fence at Huntingdon a month later.

He bounced right back to form when turning up here at Plumpton in April to defend his title in the Sussex Handicap Chase, finishing a fine second to Scarface, who was third in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham off six pounds higher next time out, off topweight.

Put a line through his run in the G3 Red Rum Handicap Chase at Aintree's Grand National meeting just 10 days later. That was always likely to prove too hot, especially with such a quick turnaround.

Fast-forward 254 days and Black Gerry reappeared in the Howden, finishing around 53 lengths adrift in sixth (of six finishers). That reads badly, but I urge you to watch the race back if you can and make your own judgement. For me, he was never competitive in rear and jockey Niall Houlihan simply guided him home from a long way out.

It was similar to his reappearance last season, which he left a long way behind next time out. Hopefully he can do so again.

The handicapper has generously dropped him five pounds for that exaggerated defeat. He also gets a further five off his back courtesy of talented claimer Freddie Mitchell, who's operating at 50 per cent strike rate (two wins from four rides) in the past fortnight.

So, the selection essentially races off a mark of 122, which is 12 pounds lower than when runner-up here just three starts and nine months ago. I can't believe he's regressed so much in such a short space of time.

He clearly loves it round Plumpton too, with his form at the East Sussex track reading 12, as do the Moores. Nobody's enjoyed more winners there than Gary Moore since records began.

On top of all that, Black Gerry is still very unexposed over 3m+. It hasn't worked out in the past, but there's not enough evidence to be conclusive just yet. He certainly shaped like he'll appreciate a slower gallop the last day.

This is the least-competitive assignment he's faced in a long time and if on a going day, he has every right to win this.

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