Nap of the Day: Skelton runner to boot Newton Abbot rivals aside

Despite a major move into 5/4 (from 10/3), it was a bitterly-disappointing effort from our Nap of the Day, Rosscahill, at Ffos Las on Tuesday. Not his true running, I'm inclined to say.

Hopefully Wednesday's fancy fares better, for tip-top connections in the opener at Newton Abbot.

The race-fit, last-time-out winner A PAI DE NOM can defy a penalty to go 2-2 over hurdles at Newton Abbot on Wednesday.

Dan Skelton's five-year-old son of Passing Glance announced himself as a useful prospect on debut in a bumper at Chepstow exactly a year ago, staying on to finish within two lengths of Philip Hobbs & Johnson White's Sober Glory, who remains unbeaten after winning his subsequent two starts - including a Listed event at Newbury this February.

That same month, the selection was sent off 10/11f for a Class 2 contest at Sandown, but he could only manage to beat two of seven rivals home. It was desperate ground in Berkshire, and Skelton has since suggested the €50k purchase needs better ground to be seen at his best, so that's easily forgiven.

He underwent wind surgery during the summer and reappeared over course and distance (2m5½f) last month following a 230-day layoff. I backed against him that day, but he readily brushed aside my selection - Maldini Milano for Paul Nicholls. It was a stylish performance in the end.

It's since been admitted that he hadn't done much work at home, and that his victory, or at least the manner of it, came as a bit of a surprise. With that in mind, he ought to take a significant step forward on Wednesday in what could prove a warm affair.

There's no doubt about it, Gentleman Toboot is the big danger. David Pipe's five-year-old son of Harzand, for Brocade Racing of Native River (the brave, the generous) fame, boasts some fine bumper form and receives a handy six pounds on hurdling debut. He's very much one to follow this season.

However, his form behind Big Cadillac received a bit of a knock at Ffos Las on Tuesday and this is his first appearance after a wind op and 274 days on the sidelines. I suspect he'll come on plenty for the run.

The booking of Harry Cobden on Alidam, a half-brother to Willie Mullins' Champion Hurdle hopeful Anzadam, is very interesting. The four-year-old makes his British debut after four spins over in France that makes him very hard to weigh up. Watch the market.

Tommy Pickles was picked up for £80k after bolting up by 10 lengths in a point-to-point and he too could be a nice prospect for Jamie Snowden. He'll need to be a very nice one to win this first time out, though.

Otherwise, it's a modest race. A Pai De Nom could take a bit of beating here.

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