Stephen Welch's NAP of the Day (6th November)
1 minute Thursday’s NAP returns to the Tapeta at Newcastle where Alligator Alley looks a strong candidate to follow up his recent course success for Ruth Carr.
5:00 Newcastle
Midnite: Built For 2025 Not 2005 Handicap
ALLIGATOR ALLEY - 9/2
Alligator Alley showed there’s plenty of life left in him when landing a competitive 5f contest over this same course and distance last week, travelling powerfully before asserting in the closing stages. The eight-year-old now turns out under a 4lbs penalty but remains 2lbs ahead of his new mark, which makes him a well-treated contender on paper.
Carr’s veteran sprinter has always had a touch of class; a Listed winner in his younger days and he’s taken well to life in handicaps, especially on the all-weather where he can travel smoothly off a strong pace. The return to Newcastle is a big plus, as he’s twice run to a very high figure at this venue and the booking of Kaiya Fraser again takes off a valuable 5lbs, keeping him right in the sweet spot weight-wise.
The opposition is solid but beatable. Easy Peeler landed a front-running win over 6f here last time but this drop to the minimum trip and a 4lbs rise could blunt his edge. Bonnie’s Boy was another C&D winner on his latest start but faces an 8lbs hike, while Sturlasson and Lethal Nymph are capable types yet lack the same consistency.
Verdict: With ideal conditions, a track that plays to his strengths, and a mark that still underestimates his current form, ALLIGATOR ALLEY is backed to go in again and continue his fine autumn revival. A confident choice as Thursday’s NAP of the day.
