Nap of the Day: Sean Mc set to land a blow

With the worst of the winter weather seemingly behind us, all four meetings across Britain and Ireland appear set to get the go-ahead on Monday. Jumps action comes from Hereford and Punchestown, accompanying the all-weather meetings from Lingfield (afternoon) and Wolverhampton (evening), with 28 races in total.

Monday's Nap of the Day was second-best at Fairyhouse last month for the Paul Nolan team, and looks well-equipped now to go one spot better.

There is some competitive racing on offer from Punchestown on Monday afternoon, and that certainly includes the 17-runner Novice Handicap Hurdle over just shy of two-and-a-half miles that is race four on the card at the Kildare venue.

It should present a good opening for Paul Nolan's contender SEAN MC to land his first success over jumps.

The Mahler gelding was highly tried last season in strong maidens and went off at three-figure odds in all three runs after his debut.

It was always likely he'd be seen to best effect once getting his chance in handicaps. He improved on his seasonal comeback at this track over 2m4½f (heavy) in November, finishing eighth of 21 runners off an opening mark of 89 in a contest that produced four next-time-out winners.

Sean Mc was close to becoming the fifth as he was runner-up at Fairyhouse in mid-December over a similar trip when unable to peg back all-the-way winner Run for Cover from the Martin Brassil yard.

Ricky Doyle's partner went off in the lead and enjoyed a clear advantage by the halfway stage, and nothing ever threatened to bridge the gap.

Sean Mc was the only rival who got close, with a 10-length gap back to the third finisher, and that form looks solid now in light of the winner easily going in again from 5lb higher at Naas on Friday afternoon.

Sean Mc has been nudged up 3lb in the ratings for his silver medal four weeks ago, but, once more, Eoin Staples rides and claims a useful 5lb in the saddle.

This rating of 91 is far from prohibitive based on that last-time-out second, and he's fancied to go a spot better now.

Kinturk Nelson, who ran well when third last time at Fairyhouse over shorter, could be a danger, while Miss Mini Bee would have a chance on the best of last season's form, and The Guinness Boys could yet improve in handicaps for Gavin Cromwell despite being pulled up on New Year's Day at Fairyhouse.

However, there is plenty in favour of Sean Mc, including the underfoot conditions, and he looks teed up for a first success.

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