Horse Racing Tips: Nap of the Day, best bets around the tracks and daily Request-A-Bet
By Sporting Life
19:38 · FRI November 08, 2024
Matt Brocklebank's Friday Nap won at 3/1 at Exeter - now Andrew Asquith has the Saturday best bets.
Saturday selections
MASTER BUILDER – 15:45 Doncaster (NAP)
Another typically competitive renewal of the long-standing November Handicap, but I’m quite sweet on MASTER BUILDER back at a mile and a half in likely soft ground conditions.
He has progressed all season, opening his account in a heavy-ground novice at Salisbury, where he beat a horse called Subsequent, who has since won four times, including in Listed company, and now has a BHA rating of 105.
That form clearly isn’t shabby, at all, and he has since finished an eye-catching third in the Melrose and won a handicap over a mile and three quarters at Haydock in grand style two starts back.
Master Builder also shaped better than the result when third to Minstrel Knight at York last time, faring best of those who were held up in a tactical affair where the winner made all of the running.
The manner in which Master Builder cruised into contention suggests he’s still on a good mark and the drop back in trip could actually help him. There should also be a good pace on for him to aim at and this track in holding ground should suit him perfectly.
GOLD DES BOIS – 11:38 Kelso
GOLD DES BOIS lost his way for Iain Jardine and hasn’t won for over two years, but in that time, he has tumbled down the weights, and he shaped encouragingly on his first start for Sandy Thomson over this course and distance a fortnight ago.
That was his first start for five months, and he did enough to suggest he’s capable of taking advantage of this much-reduced mark, briefly upsides jumping the second-last but unable to go with the winner soon after.
He lost little in defeat behind a useful performer, though, and the way he stayed on in the closing stages suggests he still has plenty of enthusiasm for the game. That run will have likely put an edge on him, and he finds himself in much calmer waters now, so he will have every chance of going one place better in this less-demanding race.
DEPLOY TO SPY – 15:15 Aintree
DEPLOY TO SPY is bred to stay well, so it is encouraging what he’s achieved so far kept to two miles over hurdles, still in contention when brought down at the second-last and he showed no ill-effects from that experience when opening his account just 17 days later.
That form was solid for the level, with the second and fourth both winning next time, and Deploy To Spy raised his game further when defying a penalty in another novice at Perth last time.
He did so in clear-cut fashion on that occasion, shaken up after the second-last, displaying signs of inexperience as he hung to his right and not so fluent at the final flight, but he readily asserted on the run-in.
There should be plenty more improvement in him now entering handicaps and, though you can’t argue an opening mark of 118 is a gift based on what he’s achieved on the track to date, he remains with plenty of potential, will handle ground conditions and this slightly longer trip will also suit.
FORWARD PLAN – 15:30 Wincanton
Anthony Honeyball won this race 12 months ago with Blackjack Magic and of his three runners in this year’s renewal it is FORWARD PLAN who I like.
He could only finish sixth behind his stablemate in this last season, but he shaped much better than the bare result, and it is worth noting that he was racing from 7lb out of the handicap that day.
Forward Plan progressed well after, winning handicap chases over three miles at Doncaster and Kempton on ground which wasn’t too testing. He was also beaten just a nose in the Great Yorkshire Handicap at Doncaster in between those victories and he signed off last season with another placed effort in a Premier Handicap at Aintree’s Grand National meeting.
Forward Plan is just 1lb higher in the weights on his return and, likely to be fit enough to do himself justice – he’s gone well after a break before – and with likely ground conditions no problem he looks as interesting as any in this season’s Badger Beer.
SALAMANCA – 20:30 Chelmsford
SALAMANCA was a one-time Derby hope for Jane Chapple-Hyam, but he jarred himself up in the Lingfield Derby Trial and connections decided to give him the summer off after.
He had already shown useful form when narrowly denied on his return at Newmarket and didn’t need to improve when opening his account over this course and distance a fortnight ago, landing the odds with the minimum of fuss.
Salamanca proved in a different league to his rivals on that occasion, looking better and better the further he went, and he’s entitled to have come on a fair bit for that outing. He dips his toe into deeper waters now, but he remains with plenty of potential, and is expected to take his form to new levels now faced with stiffer opposition.
Salamanca will reportedly have an All Weather Championships campaign and will be one to follow this winter.
Want to know more about horse welfare within our sport?
2024 winners
- Asian Spice 3/1 (NAP)
- Wendigo 8/15
- Silent Move 15/8 (NAP)
- Umbria 10/11
- Get Shirty 7/4
- Ballytechno 7/1
- Modern Utopia 4/1
- Williethebuilder 13/8 (NAP)
- 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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