Nap of the Day: Patience key for Gris Majeur

There are five Monday race meetings taking place across Britain, neatly sandwiched in between the brilliance of the Breeders' Cup and the magic of the Melbourne Cup.

They go jumping at Plumpton and Hereford alongside afternoon Flat racing from Kempton on the Polytrack, while in the evening they race on the Tapeta at Southwell and Wolverhampton. Monday's NAP of the Day runs for Sheila Lewis at Hereford and could be set for more success after a change in tactics worked the oracle recently.

14:20 Hereford Odds

He was a three-time winner over hurdles but the early knockings of GRIS MAJEUR's career over fences presented more questions than answers for his connections.

Two of his three hurdles wins came at Hereford over 2m5½f in small fields when he was held up.

He twice finished second over fences in the spring, at Ffos Las (2m3½f, heavy) and here over 2m5½f (good), but in between he was pulled up twice at this course over 2m3f and this extended 3m1f trip.

He was ridden much prominently in those four races but, after a summer break, last month's return to action at Ludlow (2m4f, good) saw him ridden cold in a four-runner contest by Ben Jones and he was rewarded with a decisive race-winning move from three out, the partnership drawing some nine lengths clear of the re-opposing Redbridge Rambler in second spot.

Martin Keighley's runner-up is much better off on the revised terms, but Gris Majeur won with lots in hand and a repeat of those anchoring tactics could yield further dividends despite a 6lb ratings-rise now.

The eight-year-old has top weight to defy and faces an in-form rival in D'jo Dela Barriere, winner of his previous two starts at Ffos Las (3m, good; hurdles) and Ludlow (3m, good; fences) for trainer Evan Williams.

Still, the selection is unexposed over this trip and the patient tactics deployed last time could really see him excelling upped in trip.

Fast Racing Results

Nap Of The Day from Betfred Insights.