Nap of the Day: King Al to rule at Ludlow

Similar to Kargese's run in the Irish Arkle on Monday, Wandering Ego looked the winner all over at Taunton on Tuesday, but was eventually reeled in by Paul Nicholls' runner. Frustrating.

On a quiet Wednesday, I'm drawn to the opener at Ludlow in a bid to get back to winning ways.

Given the day of the week, time of year and venue, the opener at Ludlow on Wednesday - a juvenile hurdle over the minimum trip of two miles - is a cracking contest.

Eight go to post and it's KING AL, for Alan King and Tom Bellamy, who takes my fancy at the prices.

The son of Al Kazeem reached a mark of 77 in six spins on the level before embarking on a hurdling career, which began at Sandown in early December.

He was fifth of eight in Surrey, behind the likes of Macktoad and Pourquoi Pas Papa. An encouraging start.

Connections then sent him to Kempton in the new year, where he finished runner-up to Dan Skelton's 135-rated Precious Man and over seven lengths clear of the rest of the field, which included Gavin Sheehan's useful Senator.

The ill-fated Wertpol, who departed at the last, was victorious on his only other start over timber, adding further depth to the form.

For me, in finishing so close to the highly-regarded Precious Man, whose big target is the Grade 1 at Aintree's Grand National meeting, he's achieved as much, if not more than his main market rivals Wolf Rayet, Down To Business and Talakan.

The former tops the charts on official ratings (120) and his Cheltenham form behind Minella Study, Winston Junior and One Horse Town reads well. He was beaten a long way, though.

Down To Business and Talakan also bring form behind Winston Junior, at Ascot recently, to the table. But again, they were beaten a long way and the winner didn't get off the bridle.

It's not hard to see any of them winning, but as far as I'm concerned King Al, who's proven on this ground, has a favourite's chance despite his current price suggesting otherwise. He's the Nap for me.

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