David Ord has the Thursday best bets with the Nap in action at Aintree.
Thursday selections
INTHEPOCKET - 16:40 Aintree (NAP)
All eyes will be on the well-handicapped Sans Bruit as he bids to complete a hat-trick in this race but he might find Irish raider and top weight INTHEPOCKET a tough nut to crack.
A Grade One novice hurdle winner at this meeting, he was revived by a switch to more patient tactics and better ground in the Grand Annual. He was still full of running and looked sure to play a hand in the finish when falling two out and, if in the same form here, he’s a massive player with a clear round.
ALWAYS BUSY - 16:15 Taunton
He’s dropped back to his last winning mark and ALWAYS BUSY looked ready to take advantage on his latest start at Southwell.
Showing his best form for a while, he finished second, three lengths behind Hell Hound, having been untidy at the last. That puts him in here with a big shout.
PEAKY BLINDER - 16:25 Southwell
He signed off for 2025 when winning at Redcar and PEAKY BLINDER starts his four-year-old campaign as an unexposed stayer.
Andrew Badling’s team are ticking over nicely and his runner looks to be crying out for this step up to two miles. Oisin Murphy rides and he’s fancied to progress past a new handicap mark of 84 at the first attempt.
ARTAGNAN - 19:30 Wolverhampton
The relatively unexposed ARTAGNAN ended last season in good form and is fancied to make a winning return.
A useful juvenile for Karl Burke, he ran four time for his new stable in 2025 and dead-heated at Chelmsford in October before finishing third from this revised rating at Southwell next time.
That suggests he’ll continue to be effective in this grade with confidence restored and he still retains potential.
Friday selections
SHERMINATOR - 17:15 Aintree (NAP)
A trip to Fairyhouse was in the offing before the Irish handicapper allotted SHERMINATOR a higher mark than his BHA rating but connections may not have to wait long for compensation. The jockey booking obviously takes the eye for this progressive individual whose form is working out well on the whole. He was behind now stablemate Trustintimes (declared for the first) on debut but has improved from start to start, beating the re-opposing Star Of Guiting and recent Wincanton winner Laughing John on his hurdles bow and has continued on the up for Harry Fry with subsequent winners behind on his last two starts. He could well be hiding a secret or two from the handicapper and his prominent run style should be suited to this track.
WILLIAM YEATS - 16:45 Sedgefield
A chance is taken that Sam England has WILLIAM YEATS ready to roll on his handicap and stable debut. Second in his point to one now with Donald McCain and rated 116, William Yeats showed ability in two modest course bumpers before going hurdling. He's cut little ice in three starts in that sphere but that is reflected in his handicap mark (96) and he appeared to be learning on the job and it would be no surprise if his new yard reaped the benefit of those lessons.
ASMEN WARRIOR - 17:00 Thirsk
A poor run at Ascot on his penultimate start suggests any rain (although cheekpieces were swopped out for a visor) would be a negative for ASMEN WARRIOR who ran his best race since joining James Owen at Kempton last time. On a career high mark, he does have it to prove as his trainers have only managed to get one win out of him which is a poor return for a horse with his talent but this looks a fair opening for Asmen Warrior and perhaps Luke Morris will be able to get the best out of him.
SPLIT ELEVENS - 19:30 Wolverhampton
With the John Butler stable in tip-top form and SPLIT ELEVENS back down to his last winning mark, perhaps a fifth course win is in the offing. He's had a very busy time of things until a less frenetic second half to 2025 but the breaks don't appear to have done him any harm judged by promising runs at Southwell and here last time. The latest effort was his second run back from a lay-off of over 100 days so he's entitled to build on that and could be poised to strike.
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2025-26 winners (Naps competition Oct 19 - Apr 25)
- Ferret Jeeter 4/5
- Secret Des Dieux 5/2
- Ballynaheer 5/1
- Overabottleofred 9/4
- 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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