Nube Negra looks on a handy mark present and makes plenty of appeal at 13/2 in the 4.15 at Taunton today following an eye-catching return to action. This Dan Skelton trained five-year-old progressed throughout last season when winning two of his five starts. He scored in terrific style on debut at Market Rasen when beating Knight Destroyer by nine lengths, then lost little in defeat when runner-up to Nicky Henderson’s smart filly Apples Shakira at Cheltenham. Nube Negra threw down a challenge rounding the home bend and, after making a mistake at the last, stuck to the task nicely to be beaten 3 1/2 lengths by a rival to whom he had to concede 6lb. He then got back to winnings ways when scoring hard held by eight lengths at Doncaster, before running a blinder to finish third of 22 to Veneer of Charm in the Grade 2 class 1 Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival off a rating of 135. Nube Negra is able to race in this lower grade class 2 contest off 1lb lower, so that gives him every chance from a handicapping perspective. He also has his second start following a wind-op having shaped quite nicely on seasonal reappearance when a never nearer keeping on 13 lengths eight of 18 to Nietzsche in the ultra-competitive Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham. That race has thrown-up plenty of subsequent winners, so with he ground also fine – and his handler having a 25 per cent strike rate with his runners at the track in the past 12 months – Nube Negra looks to have plenty going for him in this.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 2pts win Nube Negra (13/2 generally available – use BOG firms)
