Nap of the Day: Paul to perform Magic on Mullins mare

Supreme Malinas was a non-runner at Newbury on Friday, so the wait for another winning Nap of the Day extends at least another 24 hours.

Saturday's selection comes from the Irish offering from Navan - a Willie Mullins and Paul Townend conveyance in the feature.

Paul Townend heads to Navan for one ride on Saturday, which I suspect is going to be a winning one.

The Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and Gold Cup-winning jockey gets the leg up on MAGIC MCCOLGAN for boss Willie Mullins in the EBF Novice Handicap Chase Final.

The seven-year-old daughter of Flemensfirth arrives on the back of a career-best effort in Listed company at Naas last month, finishing within a length of Colm Murphy's Goraibhmaithagat. Try saying that one out loud...

It's form that's been boosted in the meantime, courtesy of the winner finishing a close second in the Leinster National back at the County Kildare venue less than a fortnight ago off seven pounds higher.

His new rating is 137, meaning he's been put up 12lbs in total this season, and he's among the entries - and the favourites in the betting - for the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse in April.

Magic McColgan was arguably unfortunate not to come out on top at Naas. She was still on the bridle, with every single one of her rivals off it, approaching the final fence, but a significant mistake caused Townend to get animated in the saddle.

I was impressed at how fast she recovered and got back to the task at hand, but ultimately she was reeled in right at the death.

With a clear round, she probably would have won by a length or two and be subject to a rise of 10 pounds or more. Instead, she gets six. That's very fair in my book.

I suspect there's a lot more to come from Kenny Alexander's mare, who's progressed with each of her four runs over fences to date. I'm also optimistic about the step up to three miles, as a full-sister to 2021 King George hero Tornado Flyer.

Showurappreciation is respected for Jonathan Sweeney and JP McManus, who's won two of the three renewals of this race, as is Henry de Bromhead's Rokathir, but I am firmly in the Magic McColgan camp.

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