Nap of the Day: Well-drawn Chester flyer looks to keep ’em all at bay

We're off to Chester for the opening day of the May meeting for Wednesday's Nap Of The Day. It's a fantastic card on the Roodee, seven brilliant heats, and it all kicks in at 13:30.

My main interest is in the Class 3 sprint handicap over 6f for three-year-olds at 15:40, and a jockey looking to continue his recent purple patch. Intrigued? Here's the reasoning behind the selection.

Chester 15:40 Betting

Today's Horse Races

Having made my choice, I'm a bit disappointed that it's relatively skinny (in my humble opinion) as this looks a hot contest. About 13 starters, too - only one short of the very sensible maximum around these tight bends, and a virtual guarantee that some will be bemoaning their luck (or lack thereof) in running at about 15:43 or thereabouts, if they're keeping decent time.

Looked more like an 11/4 chance to me when I was weighing them up, but if you're playing you've got options of taking the price, or not.

15:40 Chester - Bob Mali @ 15/8

Bob Mali was an answer I gave once in a pub quiz to the question 'which ghost appeared first in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.' I'm reminded of it by those present at least ten times a year. Good job I don't see them more often.

Anyway - the equine version is a gelded son of Sands Of Mali, himself a G1-winning flyer, and in the rudest of form right now for trainer Charlie Hills. Beautiful prep for this three weeks ago at HQ on seasonal reappearance, with a second of ten (beaten 1.25l) in a slightly higher grade.

He raced prominently, struck for home, but was reeled in late on good-to-soft ground. The third home in the race has since won a big pot on Guineas weekend at Newmarket by over 3l (Invictus Gold), so the form looks golden.

A sounder surface is expected on the opening day here and he's a course-and-distance scorer too, so track familiarity, especially at such a quirky venue, is a priceless asset in the bank.

Throw in a draw in stall number two and it's not hard to enthuse over Charlie Hills' charge - and then factor in that the booked jockey is none other than dual Guineas hero Will Buick, soon to star in a global jockey's challenge series with some of the planet's finest.

'Bob' is three wins from from five runs so far, and last time he achieved a stellar career-best Racing Post Rating (95). The sprint division needs some new blood and how about this fella, formerly with Ollie Sangster, popping his hand up on Wednesday afternoon to claim a spot?

Blast out William, make all, hold on. Simples.

Nap Of The Day from Betfred Insights.