Nap of the Day: We’re siding with a legend

A terrific Friday of racing from which to select our nap – as long as we all haven’t been blown away beforehand.

I’m standing in for my colleague Owen once again for a few days on the napping front, and I have a strong suspicion that he’d approve of this one. A lot.

14.30 Ascot – Immortal @ 11/4

The aforementioned habitual author of these posts defers to few when it comes to admiring the talents of Upper Lambourn trainer Nicholas John Henderson OBE. Nicky has been at the very top of his profession since the 1980s, and celebrated his 73rd birthday earlier this month. His powers remain entirely undiminished.

Legends of the game have passed through his hands – the likes of Sprinter Sacre, current sensation Constitution Hill, Long Run, Altior, Bobs Worth – the list is literally endless. On Friday I’m looking to a relatively modest but fascinating Class 4 handicap hurdle at Ascot, and Henderson’s 5-yr-old Montmartre gelding IMMORTAL.

Made his handicap debut here in November, claimer-ridden, and ran thoroughly respectably on only his third career start. He’s had two wind ops in the last 12 months and one hopes connections are keen to pursue every avenue because they believe in the horse’s potential.

His two previous efforts came at Sandown, so he’s been competing at some fairly prestigious addresses. A racing weight of 11st 3lb looks attractive when compared to his two likely market rivals Bad and Jagwar, carrying 13 and 10lbs more respectively.

I’m sure they’ve earned every ounce but I’m hoping Immortal will be on the improve, and take full advantage. Nicky’s stable jockey Nico de Boinville, following in the footsteps of the likes of Mick Fitzgerald, AP McCoy and Barry Geraghty no less, is back on board as he was for those two initial spins in Esher.

As I said; for me, a fascinating little contest and I’m happy to side with the Seven Barrows maestro. It’s been a very sound proposition for 40 years.

Another Nap of the Day, from Betfred Insights.