Matt Brocklebank has the best bets from around the tracks on Monday with his Nap a chasing newcomer at Hexham.
Monday selections
REDEEMING LOVE - 15:30 Hexham (NAP)
Decent-sized fields just about all afternoon at Hexham which is good to see and while top-weight Jamesieconn could be quite a short price on the back of three handicap chase victories, there looks to be a bit more depth to this event and a chance is taken on REDEEMING LOVE. The daughter of Getaway is bred for chasing and wouldn't be the first Mark Walford runner to take to the bigger obstacles at the first time of asking. The step up to three miles and addition of a tongue-tie (retained) brought about improvement at Southwell last month and she could be starting out in this new discipline with a very attractive mark, her dam Fentara having improved around a stone for the switch to fences during her racing days.
BREEZETHROUGHLIFE - 14:40 Fakenham
Neil King and Jack Quinlan must be riding the crest of a wave after a first Grade 1 success at Aintree and, back from a breathing operation, BREEZETHROUGHLIFE could do his bit to keep the ball rolling in the opening handicap hurdle at Fakenham. The lightly-raced five-year-old won his maiden over two and a half miles here back in October and might be able to take full advantage of an ease in the ratings to register a first handicap success having been second in a similar event off 1lb higher at Doncaster three starts ago.
SPRING BLOOM - 15:22 Leicester
SPRING BLOOM is a nine-year-old now so it has to be taken on trust that the ability remains intact as he returns for another season but he's joined an in-form yard in John Butler and, if fitness enough to do himself justice, looks to have a decent scenario in which to register a seventh career success. Not only has he slipped to a career-low mark of 69, which is 6lb lower than when last successful, but he likes to race prominently and there isn't a great deal of other pace-setters in this field on paper. Hopefully he can get out and away from stall six as this track tends to favour those up with the action from the outset.
EVENING SAIGON - 19:00 Newcastle
Not much pace on in the sprint handicap at Newcastle and EVENING SAIGON could be able to dominate from the front. He looked a handicap to follow when winning nicely at Chelmsford in October and it's probably best to ignore the follow-up bid on heavy going at Doncaster the following month. Back on the all-weather and clearly capable when fresh from a layoff, Evening Saigon can strike for a Hamad Al Jehani yard which was among the winners at the Lincoln meeting.
Tuesday selections
SIERRA SANDS - 15:00 Newmarket (NAP)
SIERRA SANDS looks an interesting one on his seasonal debut at Newmarket. The son of Sands Of Mali was a promising second first time out at Leicester in September and although he failed to make much impact over this course and distance the following month, a trip to Catterick paid off as he won a maiden thanks to an improved effort, scoring with something to spare later in October. A switch to handicaps, from an opening mark of 79, should see the chestnut in a better light and Ryan Moore is obviously a decent booking for Ed Dunlop's runner.
NO PANIC - 15:08 Newton Abbot
Second time out after the breathing operation could be a good opportunity to back NO PANIC as he shaped a good deal better when fourth at Wincanton last month. The handicapper has eased him a pound in the ratings, he's technically down in class, and the additional furlong and a half on offer at Newton Abbot looks another potential source of improvement.
GRAIN TRADE - 15:55 Market Rasen
GRAIN TRADE has had one or two jumping issues since winning on his second chase start here in October but he still looks on the right side of the assessor based on the way he moves through his races. This isn't a strong race by any means so it's hoped his jumping holds up as conditions are clearly in his favour and we know he doesn't mind the track.
LORDSBRIDGE BAY - 18:00 Lingfield
LORDSBRIDGE BAY looks another horse worth chancing on handicap debut at Lingfield. His form so far isn't much to write home about but the three relatively quick runs since mid-February suggest connections have had this sort of race in mind from the outset and he's bred to be a fair bit better than his opening mark of 60. Trainer Sean Woods had an all-weather winner and two seconds last week and stall one should give Kieran O'Neill every chance of picking up the early position he wants so there's enough to warrant a small interest.
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2025-26 winners (Naps competition Oct 19 - Apr 25)
- Fort Augustus 12/1
- Peaky Blinder 5/4
- Ferret Jeeter 4/5
- Secret Des Dieux 5/2
- Ballynaheer 5/1
- Overabottleofred 9/4
- Storm Point 4/1 (NAP)
- Simplify 13/2
- Tyson 8/11
- Service Minimum 8/15 (NAP)
- Jack Hyde 7/4
- Power Fizz 2/1 (NAP)
- Daylatedollarshort 9/4
- Codetalker 6/1
- Alther Warden 2/1
- Joyeaux Machin 7/2
- Rath Gaul Hill 100/30
- Magnetude evens (NAP)
- Boultydoolin 8/11 (NAP)
- Hello Sweety 6/5
- Cuban Court 10/11
- Yorkshire Glory 6/5
- Madara 3/1 (NAP)
- Champion Again Ole 7/4
- Let It Rain 5/2 (NAP)
- Kap Vert 6/5
- Elements Of Fire 4/1
- Scorpio Rising 9/2 (NAP)
- Falco Des Pins 9/5
- Platin Moon 11/4
- Bergamo Gold 17/2
- Nikovo 15/8
- Saffron Dandy 25/1
- Blue Carpet 5/1
- I Am Me 2/1
- Delgany Deadline 3/1 (NAP)
- Kool Kid 9/4
- La Luna Artista 15/2 (NAP)
- Bank On Frank 2/1 (NAP)
- Forglen 5/2
- Pretending 10/1 (NAP)
- Flowstate 100/30
- Milcree 85/40 (NAP)
- Borgi 8/1 (NAP)
- Kel Du Large 3/1
- Wicksey 11/8
- Alondra 8/1
- Himself 5/4
- Maria Da Silva 7/4
- Ballin Boy 9/2
- Harbour Vision 6/1
- La Higuera 5/2 (NAP)
- Lord Capulet 6/4
- Made U Blush 11/2 (NAP)
- 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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