Nap of the Day: Bank on Act Of Innocence at Huntingdon

I was delighted to be back among the winners on Wednesday, courtesy of King Al at Ludlow. A superb ride by Tom Bellamy. Top class.

On Thursday, it's off to Huntingdon for the Sidney Banks Memorial Novices' Hurdle, which can go to Nicky Henderson again.

Nicky Henderson has a good record in the Sidney Banks of late. He won it six years ago with Shishkin, and four years later Arkle hero and Gold Cup hopeful Jango Baie was runner-up. Twelve months ago, Califet En Vol did the honours for the Lambourn handler.

At Huntingdon on Thursday, he relies on ACT OF INNOCENCE, who I expect to deal with Sinnatra - again.

The six-year-old beat Dan Skelton's runner, who already had the benefit of a run, at Newbury back in November last year by almost three lengths, with jockey Nico de Boinville yet to get really serious in the saddle.

Since then, the second has bolted up by 55 lengths - yes, fifty-five - at Sandown on the third day of the year, but it was a complete non-event.

The selection's defeat to Minella Yoga for former trainer Paul Nicholls was a shock at the time, but in hindsight it was a big ask to concede 20lbs to the eventual winner, who has since finished third to Triumph hopeful Maestro Conti and the 131-rated One Horse Town in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham.

The plan was for Act Of Innocence to run at Cheltenham on Trials Day, but he was pulled at the 11th hour on account of conditions after the infamous 'hole' debacle, so instead he comes to Cambridgeshire.

Ahead of his intended visit to HQ, owner Gordon Hall was quoted in the Racing Post saying he expects "a similar performance" to that of stablemate and Supreme favourite Old Park Star, who races in the same silks. He went on: "We worked him on Saturday morning and he absolutely flew up the gallops."

I'm sceptical of comparisons to Old Park Star, I must admit, but I do agree that 'AOI' is in all likelihood still a very good horse in his own right.

There's every reason to be confident he'll confirm form with Sinnatra and I would be surprised if any of the other four runners are able to trouble the judge.

I agree with the betting in that this is a bit of a match - and it's Act Of Innocence for me.

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