Ian Ogg has the Thursday and Friday best bets with Friday's Nap in action at Newmarket.
Thursday selections
BEL OMBRE - 18:10 Fontwell
Oakley was a facile winner at Hereford and, understandably, makes a quick return but another chance is given to the relatively unexposed BEL OMBRE who finished second in a competitive race at Perth despite racing too keenly. The application of a hood may help in that regard and, if successful, can aid Bel Ombre in recording a second career success having landed a gamble in fine style on his handicap bow at Taunton.
Friday selections
WE'RE GOOSERS - 16:53 Newmarket (NAP)
He let down his supporters here last time but WE'RE GOOSERS didn't shape at all badly in finishing sixth in a strong race for all that the run fell short of market expectations. He raced too keenly on his first attempt over a mile and was found wanting in the closing stages but with that outing under his belt and dropping back a furlong, he can make amends under Oisin Murphy who rides for the first time.
HAND OF GOD - 14:40 Newbury
The last two renewals have been won by lightly raced four-year-olds and that group are feared but they will have to be well treated to get the better of HAND OF GOD who has slipped to a handy mark after a 2025 season that didn't work out. He returned over an inadequate mile here at the start of the month at a time when his stable was quiet and shaped with considerable promise. Back up in trip and with the yard going through the gears, considerably better is expected.
AL NAYYIR - 16:05 York
This looks a good renewal of the Yorkshire Cup but I don't think AL NAYYIR should be as long as the current 7/1. Strictly on official ratings he has very little to find with Amiloc (who conclusively has to prove this trip is for him) and St Leger second Rahiebb who is starting out for the season. Al Nayyir may be eight but he was running as well as ever in Meydan, beating Sunway in a Group 3 before running well in this grade. He runs this track well having finished second (to Vauban) and third (to Trawlerman and Sweet William) in the last two Lonsdale Cups, form which puts him right in the mix and this could be his best chance of exposing any chinks in the armour of his more vaunted rivals.
LIGHTNINGUPYOURDAYS - 18:20 Aintree
LIGHTNINGUPYOURDAYS (whose half-sister runs earlier on the card), presumably, hasn't been easy to train as he's had only two more starts than years he is old and he followed a highly encouraging return to action in December by running a stinker at Ascot in February when sent off the 4/1 favourite. He clearly comes with risks attached but the Hereford run was by no means the first time he's caught the eye and he's given another chance with this test looking ideal.
SANAFI ZABEEL - 19:50 Hamilton
Jim Goldie's stable form is picking up nicely and the yard is well represented on the card, as you might expect, and runs two here. Both runners are having their second starts since arriving from continental Europe and support for either would be notable but ready preference is for SANAFI ZABEEL who shaped with promise at 40/1 behind the re-opposing Quiet Resolve. The fourth, Starliner (who, coincidentally, won this race last year), won next time out to advertise the form and Sanafi Zabeel can do his bit by taking the necessary step forwards returned to a longer trip.
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Recent winners (Naps competition Apr 26 - )
- Hengest (9/2)
- Matty's Getaway (7/1)
- Star Cast (7/2)
- Split Elevens (7/2)
- Thorneylands 2/1 (dead-heat)
- Cobbler's Boy 5/6
- Ashen 5/4 (NAP)
- Shadow King 6/4
- Quiet Resolve 20/1
- Filibustering 11/8
- Jeffery's Cross 6/1
- Lux Aeterna 11/2
- Magician Of Riga 3/1
- As Fast As Wind 4/7
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