Rely on Nakai
Nakai can build on a promising reappearance with victory in a strong renewal of the Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown.
Registered as the Winter Novices’ Hurdle, this Grade Two event has been won by some really classy animals over the years and the selection has the ability to join that elite list.
Trained by Paul Nicholls, this point-to-point winner ran a cracker to finish second in a Fairyhouse bumper last season before switching to the care of the Ditcheat maestro.
Sent off at 8-11 on his hurdling debut at Chepstow in October, the six-year-old coasted home by 23 lengths in the manner of a really decent performer.
This will provide a much stiffer test but the Nicholls camp seem to be making the right noises and it would be no surprise if their faith is rewarded.
Howard Johnson rarely misses the target on his infrequent forays down south so the hint should be taken with Hard Act To Follow in The Sun Future Stars Intermediate Chase.
