Ben Linfoot has the Thursday best bets with the Nap in action at Warwick.
Thursday selections
HAUT FOLIN – 14:55 Warwick (NAP)
Venetia Williams’ HAUT FOLIN is an in and out character but the time to catch him is first time up so he’s of interest in the Larkshill Engineering Handicap Chase on Thursday. The eight-year-old was pulled up on his final three starts last season but that’s not unusual for him and if you isolate his form figures to his first two runs in the last campaign and his first four runs the season before they read 122322. Back down to a mark of 99, he can go well under Charlie Deutsch at a track his trainer does well at this time of year (25.76% strike-rate at Warwick in December).
ST LUKES CHELSEA – 13:35 Taunton
There were signs last time that ST LUKES CHELSEA is settling better in the hood and the big field in the Boyle Sports Opening Soon In Taunton Novices’ Handicap Hurdle can play to his strengths. Robert Walford’s horse has been pulling his chance away over timber but he has hinted a few times he has what it takes to win a handicap hurdle and off a lowly mark of 90 things might just all come together for him here.
ONE MORE STROKE – 14:45 Newcastle
ONE MORE STROKE ran well enough on his seasonal return at Wetherby to side with him dropped in trip at Newcastle. Donald McCain’s horse was having his first run since wind surgery, too, and he lost a shoe, but he ran well until weakening late on and it is expected he’ll come on for that run. Dropping to 2m4f around here could help and I’d expect Brian Hughes to ride him positively to make the most of his proven stamina.
YORK TOWER – 18:00 Yarmouth
A couple of Godolphin horses from the stables of Appleby and Gosden could see us get a better return about YORK TOWER than should be the case. He’s the standout form pick for William Haggas after an encouraging debut at Yarmouth, certainly in the context of this race, where he kept on well for second despite not getting a clear run at odds of 20/1.
Friday selections
ROARING HOME - 14:33 Doncaster (NAP)
She’s been knocking on the door in three runs this season and it could be about to swing open for ROARING HOME. Henry Daly’s charge conceded first run to Got A Dream at Warwick last time but ran on strongly to go down by only half-a-length. She’s back in against her own sex and up to three miles at Town Moor and both should suit.
KEL DU LARGE - 13:15 Cheltenham
He shaped with plenty of promise on his return from 21 months off at Exeter last time and the unexposed KEL DU LARGE is of interest with a featherweight to carry. A winner of bumpers at Exeter and here before winning at Hereford on hurdling debut in February 2024, he was off the track before shaping as if needing the run when third behind Don Virginia, rallying strongly after the last. He’ll be sharper for the run and an opening mark of 114 looks lenient on what’s he’s achieved so far with the scope for plenty of improvement.
WINCHURCH - 16:00 Southwell
He’s been running far better than his form figures suggest of late and now lower than his last winning mark, WINCHURCH makes plenty of appeal. He was denied a run at a crucial stage when sixth at Lingfield last time, running on well once in the clear. He’ll need luck in running on Friday too but if he gets it he's handicapped to win this with his yard in great form. The addition of first-time cheekpieces is another potential boost.
Want to know more about horse welfare within our sport?
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)
More from Sporting Life
Safer gambling
We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.
If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.
Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.
