Nap of the Day: Signs are strong for potential star at Stratford

No joy so far this week for Nap of the Day followers, but hopes are particularly high about Thursday's selection in Warwickshire.

Fingers crossed we can get back into the winners' enclosure and kick on before a busy weekend.

Ben Pauling has made a fine start to the Jump season. He's operating at a 16% strike rate in the past fortnight, courtesy of three winners from 19 runners - and a further six have finished in the places.

That's a good omen for debutant TAURUS BAY at Stratford on Thursday.

Pauling and owner Harry Redknapp acquired the four-year-old son of Poet's Ward, who starts out in a novices' hurdle over an extended two miles, for a mere £155k after a point-to-point victory in Ireland earlier this year.

That triumph between the flags is working out nicely. The runner-up Marsiac, another six-figure buy, was fourth to a nice type on debut at Uttoxeter earlier this month before getting off the mark at Aintree's season opener last weekend. The third has landed a PTP since, too.

He's an exciting prospect - and Pauling clearly thinks likewise based on his recent comments in a stable tour with Sporting Life. He said: "He could be very good and I think he could pitch up in those graded races.”

If he is going to prove up to that sort of class, he ought to be very hard to beat in Thursday's company.

Dan Skelton's Quaviste is our main danger according to the betting. However, he was well beaten in the Grade 2 at Aintree's Grand National Festival when last seen and he underwent wind surgery over the summer. A number of the yard's runners have been lacking fitness on reappearance, so I'm happy to pass him over.

Next Twist for the red-hot Olly Murphy and Sean Bowen is not without a chance, but his bumper form is modest and if the selection is indeed a graded horse in waiting, he shouldn't be up to the task.

Likewise, Precious Metal and the rest of the field are uninspiring in the context of the race.

Taurus Bay rates a standout bet at current odds.

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