Nap of the Day: The verdict’s in – Jury should be tough to beat

It's silly season, folks. The winner of the opening race at Exeter on Thursday, in which my Nap of the Day finished a remote third, returned a staggering 300/1 - officially the longest-priced winner in British racing history. Bring on Christmas...

I've been in better form, it's fair to say, but there's still a few days left to try and find a much-needed winner or two in time for the festivities.

If the meeting goes ahead - there's an inspection due in the morning - and if he copes with the ground - expect no better than heavy going - MINELLA JURY should take all the beating at Uttoxeter on Friday.

The five-year-old son of Jukebox Jury is making his first start for new connections - Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies and prominent northern owner Jimmy Fyffe - in this maiden hurdle over two miles.

The half-brother to Amazing Agility, a Group 1 performer on the flat in Germany, fetched £80k after three runs in bumpers for John Nallen on the other side of the Irish Sea.

It was a case of third time lucky for the selection, as he followed up a couple of fine efforts in defeat with a statement victory over the odds-on Riskaway for Gordon Elliott at Wexford in October. He's since franked the form in no uncertain terms, winning a Thurles maiden hurdle by 11 lengths.

Willie Mullins' Porthill, who fetched £250k back in 2022, was just over a length behind in third at Wexford, and over 10 lengths clear of the rest. He's no mug either.

For me, that's easily the strongest bit of form on offer in this 13-strong field - and he could have more to offer over obstacles.

Interestingly, Brian Hughes has the riding assignment - his only one of the day - despite the presence of Dartmouth Castle and Driver's Pick (also in Fyffe's pink and black silks) for his boss, Donald McCain, in opposition. A tip in itself, perhaps?

The biggest dangers are, as the betting suggests, Pertemps for the Olly Murphy and Sean Bowen partnership and Henry Daly's Titanium Ring.

But, with all due respect, they're pretty modest racehorses. Minella Jury could be a decent one.

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