Stephen Welch's NAP of the Day (19th November)
2 minutes Today's NAP of the day comes in a novice handicap hurdle at Ffos Las
2:45 Ffos Las
TigerBet.co.uk Bet On Racing Novices' Handicap Hurdle
LEECH - 7/2
Leech has long hinted that a race of this nature is within reach and his reappearance effort here three weeks ago suggested he might finally be ready to deliver. That was over 2m on soft ground and while he was never nearer than at the finish, he shaped like a return to this longer trip would be firmly in his favour. Evan Williams has been patient with him and the six-year-old now drops into a very winnable Class 5, with Ellis Collier’s 5lbs claim easing the burden further from a mark of 89.
The form of last season’s efforts reads better than it first appears; he travelled well in a couple of stronger novice contests before fading late and the Ffos Las fourth last time came after a 215-day absence. With fitness tightened and a step back up to 2m4f likely to draw out his staying qualities, he makes plenty of appeal as the one in this field who may be on the verge of taking a sizeable step forward.
El Bandido Pancho is respected after an authoritative C&D success 10 days ago, but a 7lbs penalty in deeper ground asks for more. Glengolly has ability but remains winless after 11 hurdle starts, while Sparkling Duke and Dance In The Park are capable on their day but have questions to answer returning from breaks or inconsistent spells.
Verdict: El Bandido Pancho sets the standard, but with improvement expected for the rise in trip and a far more workable mark than most in here, LEECH is preferred to put it all together and land this novices’ handicap. A solid choice as today’s NAP.
