Andrew Asquith looks ahead to Wednesday's racing with his tips from around the tracks, including a Nap selection on day two of the Cheltenham Festival.
- Tuesday's Nap won at 3/1 after Andy nominated Madara as the best bet
Wednesday selections for Cheltenham and beyond
VANDERPOEL – 16:40 Cheltenham (Nap)
The Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase is sure to be run at a fast and furious gallop, so it is a race where you need a strong traveller who jumps well, and VANDERPOEL certainly fits the bill.
He’s an ex-pointer who was a two-time winner over hurdles last season, but took a couple of runs to warm up in this sphere, his jumping not as polished as you’d expect on his first two starts.
However, that experience was clearly not lost on him, as he proved a totally different proposition when opening his account at Ascot two starts ago, still a little novicey at his fences at times, but running right away from his rivals on the run-in, clearly appreciating a well-run race.
Vanderpoel looked even sharper at Sandown last time, jumping with more speed and accuracy and again finding plenty in the closing stages in a race which was backed up by a very good timefigure.
It is worth noting that Ben Pauling earmarked him as his Arkle horse at the beginning of the season and he races of a mark of 141 in this. There could be much more to come, and he has the right sort of profile for a Grand Annual.
SKYLIGHT HUSTLE – 13:20 Cheltenham
There is a maximum field of 22 set to go to post for this year’s renewal of the Turners Novices’ Hurdle and the betting has an open look to it. Long-time ante-post favourite for the race, No Drama This End, has obvious form claims, but it is another lightly-raced Grade 1 winner who interests me more at the prices.
The horse in question is SKYLIGHT HUSTLE, who has quickly developed into a smart novice hurdler, showing plenty of promise on debut when runner-up to Thedeviluno – who has franked that form since and is a big hope in the Albert Bartlett – and building on that with a 21-length romp in a big-field maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse.
Skylight Hustle was fast-tracked to Grade 1 company just four weeks later and, while he may have been a fortunate winner on the day given Talk The Talk fell at the last when looking like coming with a winning run, he still picked up again on the run-in and was strong to the line.
There is a strong possibility that he’ll improve another chunk again now going beyond two miles for the first time given he’s a point winner that has plenty of stamina in his pedigree. His form has a strong look to it and looks overpriced at the time of writing given the run-to-run progression he’s shown in such a short stint.
THE BIG WESTERNER – 14:00 Cheltenham
It looks a belting renewal of the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase which features the biggest field since Denman won the 2007 renewal. It is a race which is sure to be run at a strong gallop, which means you’ll need to stay very well, so I have question marks surrounding Romeo Coolio, who will be going beyond two and a half miles for the first time.
You wouldn’t have thought you would have been able to back Final Demand at around 11/2 after Christmas, but he’s shown on more than one occasion now that he’s prone to throwing in a below-par performance, and I’m happy to take him on also.
The one that interests me at the prices is the Henry de Bromhead-trained THE BIG WESTERNER, who is the only mare in the race, but also gets a handy 7lb sex allowance. She ran a cracker when runner-up to Jasmin de Vaux in the Albert Bartlett 12 months ago, and that form was boosted when the same rival went on to follow up in the Grade 1 at Punchestown, where he beat Honesty Policy, who is fancied for the Stayers’ Hurdle this year.
The Big Westerner is a horse who has always promised to develop into a better chaser given her physique – she’s a tall, lengthy mare – and she has made a most promising start to her career over fences, beaten by a speedier sort who had superior hurdles form on her debut, before going on to beat Jade du Grugy – who has franked the form since – in a mares’ Grade 2 at Limerick.
Her jumping was accurate and fast that day and she found plenty in the closing stages, winning going away on the run-in. Stamina won’t be an issue for her, but she also has the ability to travel well, and if you marry that with her excellent jumping technique, there’s quite a bit to like in a race of this nature.
HUCKLEBERRY STING – 13:38 Huntingdon
HUCKLEBERRY STING didn’t pull any trees up for Dan Skelton in three starts over hurdles last season, but he had won a point-to-point for Gina Andrews soon after, and he was strong in the market on his return to Rules for another yard at Southwell recently.
He was far too keen to do himself any justice on that occasion, however, but he did show enough to suggest that he’s potentially well treated. Tom Ellis is a trainer who is among the winners, and also one who does well with such types, so he’s well worth another chance to prove himself on a good mark now fitted with a first-time tongue tie to accompany the hood.
ARTANIS – 17:40 Southwell
ARTANIS showed promise in a couple of races on turf last season which threw up winners, and she readily landed the odds on her return from seven months off at Wolverhampton recently.
Admittedly, that wasn’t a deep race, but she barely come off the bridle to be comfortably on top of a subsequent winner, and she looks a useful prospect. The handicapper hasn’t overreacted allotting her an opening mark of 80 and, with further improvement forthcoming, she has leading claims of following up.
AUSPICIOUS – 19:00 Newcastle
AUSPICIOUS hadn’t shown anything in his first three starts, but he was shorter in the betting than previously, and duly proved a different proposition when opening his account on nursery debut over this course and distance in September.
That was a low-grade affair, but it was supported by a good timefigure for the level, and he shaped better than the bare result on his recent return to action again over this course and distance.
He missed the break and was hampered soon after, but he made a big move into contention on the far flank over a furlong out and paid for that in the closing stages. That was also his first run for five months, so he’s entitled to strip fitter, and could take some catching provided he breaks better.
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2025-26 winners (Naps competition Oct 19 - Apr 25)
- 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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