Matt Brocklebank has the best bets for Thursday with the Nap in action at Huntingdon.
Thursday selections
SUN ART - 2.55 Huntingdon (NAP)
Jax Junior against Califet En Vol in the Sidney Banks looks an interesting clash, while Brides Hill should take all the beating the Listed mares' chase on the same Huntingdon card. There's a better bet later on, though, namely SUN ART in the Join The 20 Club At Huntingdon Novices' Handicap Hurdle. He ran in a bumper and two maiden hurdles towards the end of 2024 and now goes handicapping for the first time off an opening mark of 108. That looks more than reasonable based on the most recent effort, when a touch keen near the back early on before staying on nicely to finish third behind a horse now rated 120 (second at Doncaster subsequently). There's surely plenty more to come from this lightly-raced six-year-old, who has plenty of nice jumpers in the family.
LUTTRELL LAD - 2.45 Doncaster
An open-looking handicap hurdle in which LUTTRELL LAD could be a shade over-priced. His trainer Tom Lacey looks to have come into a good bit of form again in recent weeks, two winners and three seconds among his last half-dozen runners, and it would be no shock to see this nine-year-old bounce back before long. Luttrell Lad is now 2lb lower than when last successful and although that was way back in July 2023, he's only run eight times since and just hinted that a return to his peak could be close when fourth at Southwell on New Year's Day. Better ground here might help and he's backed to give the red-hot Wise Eagle a run for his money.
A MOMENTS MADNESS - 3.40 Ffos Las
A MOMENTS MADNESS was a big eyecatcher on his penultimate start in a novice hurdle at Ffos Las and the money came for him (4/1) when switched straight over fences at Newcastle last month. In the end, he wasn't quite up to the job but jumped and travelled well for much of the race and just appeared to get outpaced late on. He should be sharper and a good bit wiser for the experience and, having been eased 1lb in the weights, could be a massive player back here on testing ground that clearly suits.
BAZBALL - 5.30 Southwell
BAZBALL surprised a few people (66/1 SP) on stable debut at Newcastle 12 days ago, finishing fourth in the first-time cheekpieces over six furlongs, and I like her claims back at Southwell having been dropped another pound in the weights. She's really well handicapped based on the pick of her efforts for Karl Burke in 2023 and this fillies' handicap looks a great spot for her (drops from a 0-72 to 0-68 company).
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2025 winners
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