Nap of the Day: 13/8 on chase debut? That’s Nice

Supreme winner and Arkle favourite Kopek Des Bordes makes his chasing debut at Navan, just over half an hour after Mares' Chase heroine Dinoblue takes on 2024 Champion Chase victor Captain Guinness and others in the G2 Fortria. Lulamba, runner-up in the Triumph Hurdle, also makes his bow over fences at Exeter. If Carlsberg did Mondays...

In my bid to land a hat-trick after a couple of winners over the weekend, I go to Exeter for an exciting chase debut (and it's not Lulamba!).

Around this time last year, Nicky Henderson and JP McManus unleashed a lovely filly called THAT'S NICE at Warwick - and it wasn't long before she was among the favourites for the Mares' Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

The five-year-old daughter of Walk In The Park won her sole point-to-point before joining Seven Barrows, and it's fair to say she arrived with a lofty reputation.

That reputation appeared justified after she made easy work of Dan Skelton's Honky Tonk Highway, a subsequent Listed winner who's rated 129 today, in Warwickshire, but her Festival hopes were crushed at HQ before the turn of the year.

I remember that race - it was a mess. Palacio and Wingmen for Sam Thomas and Gordon Elliott respectively set a frantic pace out in front and it was Country Mile, for the all-conquering Skeltons, who picked up the pieces. He was flattered by the manner of victory and in turn That's Nice shouldn't be judged too harshly on the margin of her defeat.

Henderson is on record admitting the decision to drop her to two miles was a mistake, so her next and latest outing was back at Warwick, over 2m3f again. She recorded another stylish success over a decent field, but unfortunately wasn't seen again.

I've no idea as to the reason why, but she returns on Monday and according to her trainer in a recent stable tour with the Racing Post, she's in good shape ahead of her chasing debut in this 0-130 handicap over an intermediate trip.

He said: "She's been excellent when she's schooled, so let's just sail on. She goes well, she jumps well, she does everything."

I suspect this is, all being well, a 135+ mare come the end of the season. So, her opening mark of 126 looks rather generous in my eyes.

The one concern I have is her readiness. A fair few Seven Barrows inmates have been looking in need of the run, so hopefully she's fit enough to do herself justice. Off that mark, she might not need to be 100% though.

Reallyntruthfully is probably our main danger after bolting up on debut over fences last month. However, that form has taken a few knocks and he's up seven pounds. This is a much tougher test.

Tom Doniphon has his chance for the Philip Hobbs & Johnson White team who have enjoyed a fine few days, while who could rule out Barlovento for the Olly Murphy and Sean Bowen duo? That being said, this is his first run after wind surgery and 300 days on the sidelines, so if anything he might be one for another day.

Again, the Skeltons are winning everything in sight at the moment so Pony Soprano isn't hopeless, but if That's Nice retains all her ability, she really ought to be winning this off her mark.

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