Nap of the Day: New year, same Sean Bowen

Happy New Year, folks. All the best for 2026 - hopefully it's full of health, happiness and winners. Especially winners.

Wouldn't it be great things off to a flying start for Nap of the Day followers? I'm off to Ayr hoping to do exactly that.

New year, same Sean Bowen. The Champion Jockey began 2026 in winning fashion, landing the bumper at Cheltenham for James Owen with a power-packed ride. Trademark stuff.

He continues to chase AP McCoy's record of 289 winners in a season and I fancy him to get a step closer at least up in Ayr on Friday, riding KINGS CHAMPION for boss Olly Murphy in a 2m4½f maiden hurdle.

The six-year-old son of Jeu St Eloi was switched from Paul Nicholls' yard late last year, after finishing a fine third in a bumper behind new stablemate The Blue Room - a smart sort with a lofty reputation.

On stable debut after a 210-day layoff, the €175k gelding was third in a maiden hurdle at Market Rasen won by Nicky Richards' Japetus, who followed up over course and distance on Boxing Day. He looks useful too.

The selection was nine lengths adrift, but caught the eye from well out the back, despite some sloppy jumps.

He shaped as if this step up in trip will suit, and slightly softer ground probably will too. He ought to improve plenty, as many of the yard's runners do for their reappearances.

He'll need to, for this'll take a bit of winning. Former Willie Mullins inmate Coco Masterpiece, in the famous 'Double Green' of Simon Munir & Isaac Souede, is a huge danger if at his best, but the nine-year-old son of Authorised, who's only managed two bumper runs in his career so far, returns from another layoff of 600+ days for a new trainer. Oh, and he sports a first-time hood. Warning signs.

Sleedagh is respected for Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore with Jack Power claiming five pounds, but I'm unconvinced about this drop back in distance after a fine effort over three miles at Haydock last time out.

Solid Performer must be fairly useful to be kept in training for so long (he was eight when making his point-to-point debut), but his first start over hurdles at Kelso a couple of months ago was modest enough. He should improve, though.

Those aside, I don't think there's much to worry about and so Kings Champion is given every chance at a very fair price.

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