Nap of the Day: Malinas to reign Supreme for Skeltons at Newbury

Despite the market suggesting otherwise, I got it all wrong in regards to Krak at Ludlow on Thursday. He's right near the top of my bad list after that.

Hopefully it's a different story on Friday, with the Nap of the Day coming from Newbury.

Harry Skelton is at Newbury for one ride on Friday - SUPREME MALINAS for brother Dan in a Challenger Stayers Hurdle Series Qualifier over an extended three miles.

The six-year-old makes her handicap debut off a mark of 126 and I rate her chances highly.

Seven months after winning a point-to-point in Ireland by 24 lengths in March 2024, she finished runner-up to Grade 1-winning hurdler Idaho Sun in a bumper at Newton Abbot on rules debut. Gentleman Toboot (rated 131) and Kripticjim (135) in behind add further substance to the form.

Supreme Malinas opened her account at the second time of asking, claiming Listed honours at Huntingdon, prior to another defeat to the aforementioned Idaho Sun at Windsor in the new year.

On hurdling debut at Exeter in November, she ran out a four-length winner of a 2m2½f mares' novices' hurdle, beating Jamie Snowden's 126-rated A Path To Ronda who's since placed in Grade 3 company.

The daughter of Malinas confirmed that form at Listed level next time out at Haydock, staying on strongly to beat Park Princess - a 21-length Listed winner herself at Doncaster last month - the aforementioned A Path To Ronda and Jackie Hobbs, who was fifth in the Mares' Novices' Hurdle at last week's Cheltenham Festival.

The selection's unbeaten record was lost in the G2 Jane Seymour Mares' Novices' Hurdle on heavy ground at Warwick in February, as she finished over 10 lengths off the pace in fifth of nine after a bad mistake at the fourth flight. It's another strong piece of form, though, with the winner Kingston Queen rated 129 and the runner-up winning the Mares' Novices' Hurdle last Thursday.

She steps up to three miles for the first time on Friday, back on a sounder surface and in handicap company. All three of those things can bring about further improvement.

I also think she comes up against some questionable rivals in Berkshire - including the favourite Peacenik who's got a nine-pound rise to contend with for winning a modest event over course and distance by eight lengths, from the front. I doubt he'll get things all his own way this time.

Lihyan and J J Moon need to leave their latest efforts behind - while Lowry's Bar looks in need of a revival after pulling-up the last twice. That being said, he's a huge danger if back to something like after a 111-day break.

Ten-year-olds Botox Has and Luttrell Lad are hard to advise at this stage of their careers.

All things considered, there's lots to like about Supreme Malinas who is my Nap of the Day.

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