Tap Night looks cracking value at 12/1 to land a success for the north in today’s Byrne Group Plate at Cheltenham (4.00)
Trained in Scotland by Lucinda Russell, the gelding developed into a useful novice chaser last season and looks to have been brought along steadily with this race in mind.
His efforts last year included a 3 1/4 length second to Captain Conan in a Grade 1 contest at Aintree off an official rating of 145 and a very good second Radjahni Express at Ayr off a revised rating of 153.
He now gets into this off a handicap mark of 145 having put in a a solid effort last time out over 2m5f at this track when third of 10 to Wishful Thinking.
The seven-year-old was a bit careful at his fences early doors that day, but that is his style and he warmed to ther task well and put in some solid leaps as the raced propgressed.
He kept on strongly from well off the pace to be beaten 6 3/4 lengths without ever threatening the front two, leaving the distinct impression that he was coming to the boil at just the right time.
AP McCoy, who rode him that day, has chosen to partner another JP McManus runner in the shape of Colour Squadron, but for me Tap Night is the better handicapped of the pair.
His current mark of 145 look exploitable on his Aintree run, and the form of his latest effort also looks solid after Wishful Thinking ran well to finish fifth in the Queen Mother Champion Chase behind Sire De Grugy here yesterday.
The 2m 4f trip alos looks ideal, and with Barry Geraghty – who is riding better than ever this week – in the saddle everything looks in place for a huge run.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 2pts each-way Tap Night (12/1 Stan James and Sky Bet – BOG, 1/4 odds 1,2,3,4,5, 12/1 BetVictor, Coral, Paddy Power – BOG, paying first 4 places)