Andrew Asquith has the Saturday best bets with the Nap in action at Prestbury Park.
Saturday selections
DAVID’S WELL – 14:25 Cheltenham (NAP)
DAVID’S WELL hasn’t put a foot wrong since switching to fences, winning all three of his starts, and he looked like a horse to follow on his return at Haydock last month.
He breezed through that race, always in a prominent position, jumping superbly and finding plenty to see off the promising runner-up.
The timefigure gives that performance more substance and a subsequent 6lb rise in the weights more than likely underestimates him. He’s got one of the most progressive profiles in this field and the booking of Harry Cobden catches the eye – he has a 32% strike rate for the yard.
SPADESTEP – 12:55 Doncaster
SPADESTEP showed ability over hurdles, opening his account at the third attempt in that sphere on his return in October, and he shaped with plenty of promise on his debut over fences at Aintree later that month.
He attracted plenty of support that day and, though he was unable to live up to that billing, he bumped into a potentially smart novice who looked like following up at Cheltenham next time before crumpling on landing after jumping the last.
Providing one of the chase newcomers doesn’t prove well above average, there isn’t anything of that calibre in this field, and he’ll be very hard to beat from just 2lb higher in the weights.
DRAYTON FLYER – 14:32 Lingfield
The Olly Murphy-trained DRAYTON FLYER showed plenty when runner-up to a stablemate on his sole start in bumpers and he caught the eye on a couple of occasions in two starts over hurdles last season.
He was short in the betting on his return and handicap debut at Uttoxeter last month and left the impression he’s been handed a lenient opening mark.
Drayton Flyer was unable to get past the rejuvenated winner, but the pair pulled well clear of the remainder, and he shaped as though he’d come on for the run and will be suited by this longer trip. He races from the same mark now and is sure to go close.
POCKLINGTON – 17:15 Newcastle
POCKLINGTON looked a good prospect when making a winning debut over six furlongs at this course at the beginning of last year and caused a little upset when getting the better of Coventry Stakes runner-up Army Ethos over the same course and distance next time.
He ran some solid races in competitive handicaps earlier this year, too, his latest effort when a short-head second at Doncaster over an extended six furlongs a career-best effort.
The handicapper has left him on the same mark, which may be a nice gesture, and given his form at this course is strong, he looks very interesting on his return from a short break now moving up to seven furlongs for the first time.
ZRYAN – 18:30 Wolverhampton
ZRYAN showed useful form when winning in France for Francis Henri-Graffard and he has shown a fair bit to work on for new connections in recent months.
He went very close to opening his account for David O’Meara when beaten a short head over an extended mile at this course two starts ago, bumping into a three-year-old improver, and the third, Brasil Power, has won since to give the form a boost and Zyran faces him on better terms now.
The timefigure that day was also good, but he wasn’t in the same form fitted with cheekpieces over the same course and distance last time. The headgear is quickly removed, though, and he shapes as though this slightly longer trip will suit – he’s clearly on a winnable mark.
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2025-26 winners (Naps competition Oct 19 - Apr 25)
- 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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