Horse Racing Tips: Nap of the Day, best bets around the tracks and daily Request-A-Bet
By Sporting Life
23:25 · FRI November 01, 2024
Andrew Asquith provides the Saturday best bets from around the tracks with his Nap in action at Wetherby.
Saturday selections
WILLIETHEBUILDER – 3.32 Wetherby (NAP)
WILLIETHEBUILDER looked a really good prospect when making a winning start over hurdles at Uttoxeter last season, building on the promise he'd show in a couple of bumpers for Declan Queally previously.
He was handed a stiff task in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham next time, but didn’t really progress as expected in handicaps afterwards, and failed to beat a rival home in the Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle at Kempton on his final start last season.
However, he had a breathing operation during the off-season, and returned to form with a bang after eight months off when narrowly denied over this course and distance last month.
Williethebuilder travelled powerfully, but wasn't so quick off the mark in the sprint finish as a winner, whose sweep from last to first rather blindsided him, and he just failed to pull it out of the fire. The handicapper has put him up 2lb for that effort, but he is capable of better still, and he looks one to keep on the right side.
BALLYTECHNO – 12:55 Ascot
BALLYTECHNO showed promise without pulling up any trees in three starts in bumpers for Thomas Gallagher, ridden by his former owner and amateur rider, Mr John Reddington, but he immediately showed he’s much better than that switched to hurdles of late having joined the burgeoning James Owen stable.
He finished runner-up on his debut in this sphere at Worcester in September, very much catching the eye with a late burst to finish second and would have likely run down the winner with an extra 100 yards or so.
That was over two miles, and he clearly benefited from the step up to two and a half miles when opening his account on good ground at Huntingdon last month, always looking in control entering the home straight and just pushed out to assert after jumping the final flight.
There should be plenty more to come from him now entering handicaps, an opening mark of 109 not excessive given his unexposed profile, and connections have booked an up-and-coming conditional rider. Ballytechno must have a big chance.
WILLIE MULLINS STABLE TOUR: 2024/25 SEASON
WAL BUCK’S – 1.23 Ayr
WAL BUCK’S remains a maiden, but he displayed plenty of ability over hurdles last season, going particularly close over an inadequate two miles at Leicester, when beaten only by a promising type.
He showed similar form when starting a short-price favourite upped to just short of three miles at Hexham on his final start over hurdles and, though he didn’t manage to meet expectations on that occasion, he left the impression he would come into his own once tackling fences.
Wal Buck’s duly started favourite for his chase debut at Perth when last seen in May, and he shaped much better than the bare result, too. He wasn’t perfect at his fences, but he was given a patient ride in a steadily-run race, still having plenty to do leaving the backstraight but making headway under a hands-and-heels ride in the closing stages.
He actually finished with running left at the line, suggesting he’s capable of much better, and he’s just the sort to leave that initial experience well behind on his return from a career-low mark.
MODERN UTOPIA – 1.42 Newmarket
MODERN UTOPIA has a good pedigree – related to numerous winners, including smart Isabella Sings, a multiple graded winner in the US – and she belatedly put up a performance more in line with her breeding when opening her account over an extended mile at Nottingham last month.
She came from the back of the pack to rout her rivals with ease, travelling strongly through the heavy ground and also relishing the longer trip.
Conditions won’t be quite so testing at Newmarket, but the step up to nine furlongs is sure to suit, and she will prove hard to beat again following an 8lb rise in the weights with the likelihood of even more to come.
JUBILEE WALK – 6.50 Southwell
JUBILEE WALK showed much improved form top open his account at the third attempt in a six-furlong minor event at Salisbury last summer, and he progressed well earlier this year to win both of his starts in handicaps.
The first of those came at Kempton in April, not settling fully in a three-runner race, but a comfortably winner at the line and he also recorded a useful timefigure.
He defied a 5lb rise with ease at York next time, having no problem dropping to five furlongs, and confirming himself a horse who is improving in leaps and bounds, having the plum draw but clearly moving through the race like a horse well ahead of his mark.
Jubilee Walk was well fancied for a handicap at Royal Ascot on the back of that success and he shaped much better than the bare result, ending up isolated on the far wing of the smallest group, but doing enough to suggest he was still in top form.
He’s had a break since, so arrives fresher than most of these, and he could yet have more to offer, while he is currently one from one on an artificial surface.
Sunday selections
Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power | Betfair Sportsbook
GETAWAY DRUMLEE – 3.08 Huntingdon (NAP)
Connections have had to be patient with GETAWAY DRUMLEE as he won his point-to-point back in April 2022, but the horse finally jumps a fence in public for the first time this Sunday and it could be worth the wait with a bit of luck. He won twice from six starts over hurdles, including a Fontwell handicap in March earlier this year. He was well held at Cheltenham subsequently but I can forgive him that and, having landed his novice on quick ground first time out a couple of seasons ago, it’s hard to imagine conditions being unsuitable for him here. The handicap mark of 116 looks potentially quite generous and it would be no surprise to see Ben Pauling have him nicely fit and ready for this assignment.
FOUROFAKIND – 2.18 Carlisle
It didn’t really work out for FOUROFAKIND with Harry Derham but he’s hit a rich vein of form with current trainer Lizzie Quinland and looks one to keep on side up in class at Carlisle on Sunday. He backed up his Perth victory in August when winning back over hurdles at the same venue last time out towards the end of September and a 4lb rise for that fairly comfortable win doesn’t look too harsh at all. All ground comes alike and Sean Quinlan taking over from a 5lb claimer can’t be a bad thing either.
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2024 winners
- Rogue Encore 7/2
- Come On John 13/8
- Catch Him Derry 9/4 (NAP)
- Al Hussar 15/2
- Kamsinas 8/1 (NAP)
- Walk On Quest 3/1
- Fine Interview 6/5 (NAP)
- Rubaud 9/4 (NAP)
- Three Dons 11/2
- Gesundheit 11/10 (NAP)
- My Bobby's Lass 6/1
- Rousing Encore 11/1
- La Renomee 9/4
- Copshill Lad 2/1
- Wiltshire Lad 5/2 (NAP)
- In The Air 10/11
- Unique Spirit 13/8
- Noble Anthem 11/4
- Unassuming 4/9
- Olympus Point 6/4 (NAP)
- Sycamore Gap 1/3
- Charlotte's Web 13/8
- Shielas Well Evens
- Desert Flower Evens
- Master Dandy 7/4
- Emerald City 6/4
- Secret Of Love 85/40
- Evening Story 7/1
- OJ Lifestyle 13/8 (NAP)
- Good Earth 7/1 (NAP)
- Magico 3/1
- Solar Bircz 9/2 (NAP)
- Soldier's Heart 15/8
- Tommy Beau 7/4
- Mission Command 7/4
- Ice Max 5/1
- La Yakel 7/2 (NAP)
- Crystal Flyer 9/4
- Fine By Me 5/1
- Don Occhetti 11/4
- Chesneys Charm 7/2
- Sanat 11/10 (NAP)
- The Feminine Urge 15/2 (NAP)
- Brave Nation 100/30
- Standbackandlook 100/30
- New Century 15/8
- Almudena 6/4 (NAP)
- Bonaventure 7/2
- Lesley's Boy 13/8 (NAP)
- Myal 12/1 (NAP)
- Mount Teide 10/11
- City Of Delight 1/2 (NAP)
- Heathcliff 5/4 (NAP)
- Arkhalia Flynn 5/2 (NAP)
- Small Fry 5/2
- Arrange 6/1 (NAP)
- Waleefy 11/8 (NAP)
- Profit Street 10/3
- Assailant 16/5 (NAP)
- See That Storm 11/4
- Biplane 11/4
- Theme Park 9/2
- Etoile d'Alexandre 4/1
- Niloufar 5/2
- Maritime Lady 11/4 (NAP)
- Achnamara 5/2 (NAP)
- Royal Pretender 11/2
- Coppull Hall Lane 2/1 (NAP)
- Territorial Knight 2/1
- Miss Information 6/5
- Gutsy Girl 5/1
- Giselles Izzy 5/1
- Porta Fortuna 10/11
- Dreamrocker 5/2
- Allonsy 5/6
- Escape Act 9/2 (NAP)
- Kynsa 4/5
- Regheeb 11/2 (NAP)
- Greek Gift 10/3
- El Burhan 8/13
- Walter Hartright 8/11
- French Master 11/4
- Jehangeer 13/2 (NAP)
- Magnum Opus 18/1
- Allonsy 6/5
- Bergerac 5/1
- Lou Lou's Gift 10/11
- Samoon Star 4/1
- Red Pixie 11/8
- Crown Estate evens
- Miss Attitude 9/2
- Treasure Time 17/2
- Global Asset 13/8
- Twoforthegutter 11/10
- Local Bay 16/5
- Miller Spirit 2/1
- Rebaatt 100/30
- Matterhorn 3/1
- Indemnity 1/2
- John L Sullivan 10/3
- King Of Conquest 11/10 (NAP)
- Fancy Stuff 11/8
- Kings Merchant 9/2 (NAP)
- Boy Douglas 11/2 (NAP)
- Eminent Jewel 8/1
- Trefor 7/2
- Oh So Audacious 85/40
- War Chant 7/2
- Appier 16/5
- Larchill Lass 6/4
- Kilta 13/8
- Doctor Foley 2/1
- Primo Lara 2/1
- Behind The Curtain 5/1
- Seasmoke 3/1
- Ron O 13/2
- Dusky Days 13/2
- King's Gambit 7/2
- Hiatus 7/2
- Katey Kontent 7/2 (NAP)
- Paddy De Pole 11/8
- Chaturanga 5/1 (NAP)
- Silent Move 28/1
- Esmeray 2/1
- Cammarate 2/1
- Tour Ovalie 3/1
- Chatty Chinch 7/4
- Ionity 7/2 (NAP)
- Tiriac 4/1 (NAP)
- Irish Lullaby 8/11
- Hartur D'oudairies 4/1
- Maghlaak 6/1
- Nocte Volatus 16/5
- Rathgar 10/3 (NAP)
- Circus Lion 8/11
- Thelma's Angel 9/2
- Mr Irrelevant 6/5
- White Umbrella 5/1
- Prydwen 3/1
- Arthur's Realm 2/1 (NAP)
- Torosay 5/1
- Garista Bay 9/1
- Uncle Dick 6/4
- Hidalgo Des Bordes 9/2
- Adaay In Devon 3/1
- Solar System 3/1
- Outrun The Storm 18/1
- Horn Cape 2/1
- Sans Bruit 5/1 (NAP)
- Soir De Gala 11/8
- Ernie's Valentine 5/1
- Donnacha 9/4
- Sattwaa 9/1
- Clear White Light 7/4
- Rocking Tree 10/3
- Sea Invasion 7/2 (NAP)
- Ziggy's Missile 11/8
- Mount Athos 6/5 (NAP)
- Chloe's Court 12/1
- Royal Way 5/1 (NAP)
- Leissieres Express 13/8
- Woodie Flash 7/2
- Intinso 8/15
- Notre Dame 5/2
- Outlaw Peter 13/8 (NAP)
- Ballyrashane 4/6
- Politacus 4/1
- Nells Son 8/11
- Nine Tenths 15/8
- Inisherin 4/6
- Big R 2/1 (NAP)
- Haston Clermont 5/4
- Pickanumber 5/6
- Eleutheromania 12/1
- Photosynthesis 9/2 (NAP)
- Hara Kiri 13/8 (NAP)
- Yellow Jacket 10/3
- Prairie Wolf 6/5 (NAP)
- Forward Plan 15/2 (NAP)
- Betterforeveryone 4/1
- Desert Master 17/2
- Coolkill 7/2
- Regal Blue 11/4
- Invincible Nao 7/5
- Alnilam 3/1 (NAP)
- Victoria Milano 6/4 (NAP)
- Ask Me Early 15/2 (NAP)
- Mereside Madness 6/4
- Lilith 6/4 (NAP)
- Masqool 3/1
- Diligent Harry 7/4 (NAP)
- Gingerbred 5/2
- Brewing 85/40 (NAP)
- Royale Dance 3/1
- Morfee 5/4 (NAP)
- Guy 4/1
- Largo Bay 10/3
- Tune In A Box 5/4 (NAP)
- Night On Earth 2/1
- Issar D'Airy 11/10 (NAP)
- Larry 11/4
- Nurse Susan 6/4 (NAP)
- English Spirit 6/4
- Comedian Leader 6/1 (NAP)
- Beneficiary 5/1
- Rare Edition 11/8
- Shantou Moon 15/2
- Townhill 5/2 (NAP)
- Fire Demon 11/8
- Inspiritus 6/1
- Saint Davy 6/5 (NAP)
- Goblet Of Fire 10/11
- Reigning Profit 6/1
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