NAP of the Day: Mount Atlas to peak at York on Saturday

The less said about Friday's selection, the better. Ok? Ok. Moving on...

To Saturday, as the weight of the NAP of the Day is carried by one in a fascinating renewal of a Listed event on the Knavesmire.

He's as tough as they come, been oh-so consistent and generally is just very, very likeable, but I'm keen to oppose Al Qareem in the Grand Cup Stakes at York on Saturday.

Karl Burke's seven-year-old won the 1m6f Listed contest 12 months ago, beating Willie Mullins' Absurde under a five-pound penalty, and his form in the meantime has been fine. Until Chester last month, anyway.

He was fifth of seven in the Ormonde Stakes, beaten over 16 lengths. Connections are putting it down to the ground - officially 'good' which is what's expected on the Knavesmire this weekend - but I must admit I don't buy it. His win in this last year? On good to firm. Go figure.

I invite you to make your own judgements on these comments from Nick Bradley, owner of the syndicate involved with Al Qareem.

He said: "I haven't got as many concerns coming here as I did heading into Chester and we can always come here with some confidence knowing how well he goes at the track."

As many concerns. Some confidence. Do you also hear those alarm bells? They're very loud.

Horse Racing Odds

As things stand, the score is tied at 1-1 between Al Qareem and MOUNT ATLAS. Someone will assume the lead on Saturday, and I'm betting it's the latter.

Andrew Balding's five-year-old was just touched off by his reopposing rival at this level on reappearance at Musselburgh in April, on soft ground that suits the eventual winner. He only made it past the selection in the final half-a-furlong, so conditions were probably the difference between winning and losing.

The form was reversed, in no uncertain terms, in the aforementioned Ormonde Stakes. Of course, the real Al Qareem didn't show up that day, but he was 14 lengths inferior at the same time. I also believe a reversal was on the cards anyway.

Mount Atlas was runner-up to Betfred St Leger and Coronation Cup hero Jan Brueghel on the Roodee, by two-and-a-half lengths. His 116-rated stablemate Illinois was back in third, almost three lengths adrift of the selection. A career-best for our lad in my book.

A replication of that effort, never mind any improvement, and I'd be rather hopeful about him banking this £39k prize.

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