Nick Doggett has the best bets from around the tracks this Saturday with the Nap in action at Haydock Park.
Saturday selections
WILLIETHEBUILDER – 14:12 Haydock (NAP)
WILLIETHEBUILDER has plenty in his favour in this final of the Pertemps Two Mile series. The Timeform pace prediction is ‘strong’ thanks to the presence of Bucephalus, We’re Red And Blue, and Smart Decision, while Ice In The Veins produced his peak performances when front-running at speed-favouring venues. All of this points to the race suiting the Christian Williams-trained selection, who was twice a winner coming from off the pace under Toby McCain-Mitchell in the winter and who has been granted a 2 lb ease in the weights following a fair effort in the County Hurdle. These waters are much calmer.
BENMORE – 13:13 Carlisle
BENMORE didn’t have the cheekpieces on when making a disappointing reappearance here in November, but has gone from strength to strength since, showing versatility to win over two miles at Leicester and then putting a Southwell fall behind him when battling hard for victory here last month. He steps up further in trip today which may be a negative for some punters, but the way he overhauled Kahavari (who has run well in defeat over three miles since) late on suggests that this trip on decent ground should be within range. Danny McMenamin (3/5 on the horse) knows him well and the pair can go in again from just 2 lb higher.
LIMIER D’ARTHEL - 14:00 Newton Abbot
The market should help with the two JP McManus-owned runners, but clear preference before those clues is for LIMIER D’ARTHEL who caught the eye in defeat at Exeter last month, just run out of it in the closing stages by Amatchmadeinheaven. The Philip Hobbs & Johnson White-trained selection had originally been held up off the pace when the tapes were released but was in a much more prominent position after a mile due to racing a little too keenly. That found him out at Exeter, but this speedier track should play more to his strengths, and he’s fancied to see off Dutch Corner who has some strong form to his name.
MOUNT ATLAS - 14:30 Musselburgh
I wouldn’t usually advocate backing a hold-up horse around the tight bends of Musselburgh, where races often develop off the home turn in the blink of an eye, but the setup of the Virgin Bet Goliath Cup Stakes could really suit MOUNT ATLAS more than hot favourite Al Qareem. Andrew Balding’s five-year-old steps up to this 1m6f trip for the first time, but he has always looked a strong stayer, ever since winning over a mile and a half at Ascot as a three-year-old. Al Qareem is the class act, but this perennial front-runner has to give weight to all his rivals in this listed race and he potentially faces competition for the lead from Roaring Legend, Lady Vivian and Kate O’Riley.
OVERABOTTLEOFRED – 16:17 Huntingdon
OVERABOTTLEOFRED may have been a little fortunate when winning this 12 months ago, with her main rival Lady's Present perhaps not fully done with when she departed at the last, but the Tom Gretton-trained mare has plenty in her favour once more and is fancied to follow up her recent Market Rasen success. Clearly, three miles on good ground on right-handed tracks is right up her street and there is every chance that she could get an easy lead here with her three rivals – including the hat-trick-seeking Taxus Baccata – all usually held up.
ZOUSTELLAR – 20:30 Wolverhampton
There isn’t much between Amazing Anita and Karakula Dancer on their run (solid form) behind Crimson Rambler last time, while Lexington Express, who was fifth that day at Southwell, has since run out an emphatic winner over C&D. All are respected, but ZOUSTELLAR caught the eye in defeat at Newcastle last month and could offer a bit of value against all three. Stepped up to a mile and fitted with a tongue-tie for the first time, the George Boughey-trained filly rattled home for fourth after enduring a nightmare passage. Her handicap mark is unchanged, and she looks the type who could progress rapidly now.
Sunday selections
HOLD A DREAM - 15.10 Bath (NAP)
Clive Cox's horses are going well and he often hits the ground running at Bath where his HOLD A DREAM holds strong claims in the Listed Whitsbury Manor Stud / British EBF Lansdown Stakes over five furlongs on Easter Sunday. The daughter of Bated Breath improved at three without winning but one of her best efforts came over five furlongs at Sandown and she has untapped potential at this trip. Beaten a neck in second a Listed race on her reappearance last season, she could go one better here getting a potentially crucial 3lb from Beautiful Diamond.
TUSCAN POINT - 13.55 Southwell
TUSCAN POINT has made a good start for Adam Kirby at this track and he could go in again in the GB Civil Engineering Handicap. The son of Blue Point won by over five lengths here on March 11 and though the handicapper had their see a 10lb rise didn't stop him running well here last time when beaten half a length in an apprentice race. He didn't get a clean run through last time either and looks worth sticking with while he's in the groove.
GOODWIN FACE - 14.55 Plumpton
The slight step up in trip can help GOODWIN FACE get his head in front in the Charlotte Savill Memorial Novices' Limited Handicap Hurdle at Plumpton. Chris Gordon's horse has been second over two miles at this track twice but he's related to horses who stayed a bit further and the extra two furlongs look a positive. He comes in here fresh after 329 days off but his trainer is in good form and knows a good opportunity at Plumpton when he sees one.
BALLYNAHEER - 15.23 Market Rasen
It will be interesting to see how Dangerous Touch jumps with 10lb claimer Tom Hutsby replacing Sean Bowen in the saddle, as mistakes have probably cost him victory the last twice. If he's average in that department again David Dennis' BALLYNAHEER is the one who can take advantage under Charlie Maggs. He needed his run at Huntingdon last time after four months off but with that under his belt and the cheekpieces back on much better is expected around here.
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2025-26 winners (Naps competition Oct 19 - Apr 25)
- 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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