Andrew Asquith looks ahead to Saturday's racing with his tips from around the tracks.
Saturday selections
A PAI DE NOM – 14:25 Uttoxeter (NAP)
A PAI DE NOM could have run at the Cheltenham Festival in either the Albert Bartlett or the Martin Pipe, so the fact that Dan Skelton has saved him for this handicap is telling, and on the back of his Newbury romp, he’s one to follow.
He’s had a very productive first season over hurdles, winning three times, and more or less improving with each run, relishing the step up to three miles in heavy ground last time.
A Pai De Nom cruised into contention that day, showing a useful level of form and bundles of stamina. He’s clearly very progressive and still looks well handicapped from a mark of 129.
PURE CARBON – 14:08 Kempton
Barring a blip at Ludlow in November, PURE CARBON has made a positive start over fences, winning two of his four starts, and proving better than ever after 10 weeks off at Musselburgh last month.
He did still look rough around the edges that day, getting there just in time on a sound surface at a sharp track, and he would have likely won by further but for a couple of late errors.
This step up in trip is sure to suit Pure Carbon both on run style and pedigree and, given he is almost certainly open to further improvement, he remains a chaser to be positive about.
GOOD FRIDAY FAIRY – 14:35 Fontwell
GOOD FRIDAY FAIRY is an experienced chaser now who proved better than ever when justifying favouritism on his return at Exeter in November, his front-running style ideal given the fences in the home straight were omitted due to low sun.
He didn’t really do anything wrong at the same track next time, once more displaying his willing attitude, and he seemingly didn’t stay three miles at Newbury last time. That race had more depth than this and, with not much pace on paper, he could prove hard to catch in this small field.
MOBILE MAMMA – 16:35 Newcastle
MOBILE MAMMA didn’t show anything over hurdles, but she was a winner in points, and proved a different proposition when opening her account under Rules on her chase debut over this course and distance around this time last year.
Admittedly, that wasn’t a strong race, but this hasn’t much depth to it either, and she impressed that day with a fluent, front-running display. She’s only 3lb higher in the weights now and, given that performance was supported by a good timefigure, she looks well treated. Ruth Jefferson has her horses in good form and she’s open to more improvement than all of these.
WOODRAFFF – 19:00 Southwell
WOODRAFFF has held his form well since the blinkers have been fitted, gaining reward for his consistency when resuming winning ways over this trip at Newcastle two starts ago.
He ran just as well under a penalty over an extended mile at Wolverhampton on Monday, but that track didn’t suit his hold-up run style so well, doing well to make up the ground he did in the straight given he wasn’t well positioned from a poor draw.
The longer straight at this track will be in his favour and he’s expected to go close again on these terms.
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2025-26 winners (Naps competition Oct 19 - Apr 25)
- 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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