Stephen Welch's NAP of the Day (19th December)
1 minute Today's NAP is tipped to bounce back from a disappointing run last time out.
3:25 Southwell
Read Meg Nicholls’ Blog At betmgm.co.uk Handicap
IMOLA - 9/4
Imola is given another chance to show her true colours after her race came to an unfortunate end at Newcastle ten days ago, where she unseated her rider just as she was beginning to make ground from off the pace. That effort is best forgiven and it’s worth focusing instead on her earlier Tapeta form, which reads very well in the context of this modest Class 6.
Since joining Joey Ramsden, the four-year-old has shaped with promise on several occasions on the all-weather, finishing placed in three of her first four starts for the yard over trips ranging from sprint distances up to a mile. She has shown the ability to travel strongly and quicken and a return to Southwell’s Tapeta looks ideal given her previous solid efforts on the surface.
This is not a deep contest and while R P McMurphy arrives in form, he is priced accordingly after a recent win and a subsequent rise in the weights. Imola, by contrast, remains lightly raced in this sphere, is still learning her trade and looks capable of improving past this mark if everything clicks. A smoother passage and a clear run should see her much more competitive than recent form figures suggest.
Verdict: With her Tapeta profile, a forgiving set of circumstances around her latest run and clear scope to improve in this grade, IMOLA is tipped to bounce back and get her head in front.
