An excellent Monday on the racing front – Sept 25th. UK, Irish flat and jumps, all-weather; something for everyone, really.

For our Nap of the day we’re going to Warwick, as signs of the National Hunt season ‘proper’ ramping up are beginning to show.

15.05 Warwick – Notnowlinda @ 7/2

If you’re a jumps fan this fixture will gladden your heart. Lots of familiar names and faces who will be itching to get going in earnest, with ease in the ground and autumn generally signalling all systems go, nearly, for National Hunt racing.

Summer jumping is fabulous. When the big boys and girls get going with a certain spa town in the Cotswolds (mid-March) ultimately in mind though, Xmas has come early. It’s all on a whole different level.

The Skeltons are huge in this great sport of ours. Bread and butter fare or Cheltenham tilts come alike to the brothers, and it’s to them that I’m looking for Monday’s NAP.

They run NOTNOWLINDA, a mare with very respectable form over hurdles, and who is making her chasing debut. The 6-yr-old is the Skelton’s only entry, and they regularly plunder prizes at what is pretty much their local Warwickshire track.

We have to take her fencing ability on trust, but she won a maiden hurdle on this very course last October and given the connections, I’d imagine she’s been well schooled. Warwick is a tough ask and that previous course form is a godsend.

It’s potentially a very informative affair, and some decent yards are represented, notably Jonjo O’Neill. Our selection has a a nice racing weight of 11st 4lb, hasn’t appeared in public for 152 days, but has gone very well fresh in the past.

It’s something of a sporting nap but we’re getting what I think is a value price about a fair horse trained and ridden by outstanding players in the game.