Andrew Asquith has Saturday's best bets with the Nap in action at Musselburgh.
Saturday selections
MADE U BLUSH – 13:10 Musselburgh (NAP)
MADE U BLUSH had some fairly useful form on the Flat, winning her final start in that sphere before changing hands for 90,000 guineas and, though she fluffed her lines on her stable and hurdling debut, she looked very good at Doncaster last time.
She was much more professional that day, her jumping more polished and she readily cruised clear from the second-last without even coming off the bridle.
Admittedly, that probably wasn’t the deepest race, but she was levels above her rivals, and judged by her Flat form, there should be even more to come. She could hardly be in better hands, and she looks well in at the weights here with her handy sex allowance now taking on the boys for the first time in this sphere.
QUEENIE ST CLAIR – 12:30 Wetherby
Nick Schofield has made a good start to his training career, and he improved QUEENIE ST CLAIR at the first attempt as she opened her account in a handicap at Wincanton on Boxing Day following her move from Ireland.
Several had a chance entering the straight that day, but Queenie St Clair finished best off all from off the pace, coming with a strong challenge on the run-in to nab the runner-up close home.
That performance was backed up by a solid timefigure for the grade and, now back in what looks a thin mares’ novices’ hurdle, she’s strongly expected to follow up.
VICE PRESIDENT – 15:20 Lingfield
VICE PRESIDENT has an excellent pedigree, a brother to Library who finished third in the Oaks, while his dam was a half-sister to US Army Ranger, who finished runner-up in the Derby.
His form is some way below that level, but he looks interesting now moving back up to two miles having shaped very well on his sole start at this trip at Kempton two starts back.
Vice President was too free that day in cheekpieces, but he wasn’t seen to best effect on that occasion, either, held up in a race where the winner set slow fractions and quickened off the lead.
He found the significant drop in trip to a mile and a quarter against him in a first-time hood at Chelmsford last time, but he should be much happier back at this distance, especially round this sharp track.
KALA CONTI – 14:40 Sandown
Kitzbuhel was impressive in the Kauto Star at Kempton on Boxing Day and should have no problem with the drop back in trip, but KALA CONTI ran to a similar level when routing her opposition in a Grade 2 over two miles at Cork last month and looks a bet at the prices.
She had experience and a fitness edge over the odds-on favourite – who has since won with any amount in hand – but she drew clear from the second-last in the style of a high-class mare.
Kala Conti is already proven over this far, goes well in testing conditions, and gets a very handy 7lb sex allowance now taking on the boys, while there should be plenty more to come from her, too.
LORD CAPULET – 19:25 Newcastle
The Kevin Ryan-trained LORD CAPULET had fallen down the weights, but bounced back to his best form to take advantage of a career-low mark and open his account over this course and distance three weeks ago, and he has a good chance of following up.
He appeared to be liberated by the return to front-running tactics, settling better than he had previously and he found plenty for pressure back down in trip. There’s a good chance he’ll be able to lead again in this field and a subsequent 3lb rise looks fair given that form looks solid.
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2025-26 winners (Naps competition Oct 19 - Apr 25)
- Eupator 11/8
- Kazar Forez 5/6
- Newton Tornado 9/2
- Ladronne 6/4
- Bel Ombre 85/40
- Morrophore 6/5
- Lewisham Grove 9/4
- Maximising 15/2
- Big Zouk 11/8 (NAP)
- Silver Thorn 3/1
- Merrimack 13/8 (NAP)
- My Champion 11/4
- Fasol 4/1
- Nebras 7/2
- Mapledurham 5/2
- Soldierofthestorm 9/4
- Lake Como 11/10
- Ballymackie 5/6 (NAP)
- Kruger Park 3/1
- Indeevar Blue 9/2
- Kitzbuhel 13/8
- Gazette Bourgeoise 7/2
- Supreme Malinas 7/2
- Heart Over Head 4/1
- Saint Cyr De Pail 7/2
- Westcombe 7/4
- Intervention 7/2
- One Big Bang 8/11
- Zryan 4/1
- David's Well 6/4 (NAP)
- Atreides 5/4
- Salver 6/4 (NAP)
- Castanea Breeze 3/1
- Ribble Vibe 6/4
- Medieval Gold 6/5
- Fierce Warrior 11/10
- Mambonumberfive 5/2 (NAP)
- Bibendum 85/40
- Seasmoke 10/3
- Teardrops 2/1
- Secret Vino 11/2
- Blenkinsop 7/4 (NAP)
- Roaring Conquest 6/4
- Molto Bene 7/4
- Nocte Volatus 11/4
- Sparkling Duke 9/2
- Chuggy 11/10
- Germanic 3/1
- Special John evens
- Fat Harry 5/4 (NAP)
- Formel Park 3/1 (NAP)
- Sixmilebridge 6/4 (NAP)
- On The Go 2/1 (NAP)
- Ikarak 13/8
- Clearpoint 3/1
- Bahadur 2/1 (NAP)
- L'Empire Vert 3/1 (NAP)
- Without Compromise 2/1
- Solarize 3/1
- Hartington 7/1
- Bloodsweatandtyres 9/2
- Pep Talking 13/2
- Tigers Moon 8/11
- Sea Poetry 2/1
- Fine Interview 7/2
- American Flight 7/1 (NAP)
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