AT THE RACES Nab a worthy bet

NAB Wood has been on a roll in recent months and another victory could be on the cards in the quinnbet. com Handicap Hurdle at Newcastle tomorrow.

The seven-year-old did not show too much in his first couple of starts but has finally found his stride this winter, finishing second at Ayr in December before registering successive wins at Kelso.

While he raced keenly on the first occasion in January, Nab Wood still hacked up by a comfortable 12 lengths which saw the handicapper give him an initial mark of 114 last month.

That perch proved well within his compass, though, with new tactics employed as Nab Wood was held up in the early stages before breezing into contention and eventually coming home just over three lengths clear.

Nicky Richards’ charge has been raised 8lb for that victory, but the manner of his wins suggests there could still be something left to come.

Ryan’s Rocket can get off the mark for Fergal O’Brien in the Chetwood Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at Taunton.

The six-year-old was a point-topoint winner in 2022 but failed to make an impact on his sole bumper run, trailing home a well-beaten 10th at Newbury in November.

Connections swiftly switched his sights to hurdles and Ryan’s Rocket took a leap forward with a threequarter-length second to Fiercely Proud, who has subsequently placed twice in Grade Two company.

That form is clearly pretty smart and Ryan’s Rocket looks a likely winner.

FULL SELECTIONS

NEWCASTLE: 2.35 Milan Echo, 3.05 Give Me A Boom, 3.35 Hello Judge, 4.05 NAB WOOD (NAP), 4.35 Has Troke, 5.05 Rivers Corner.

SOUTHWELL: 4.15 Philos, 4.45 The Dragon King, 5.15 So Obsessed, 5.45 God Bless America, 6.15 Asinara, 6.45 Chola Empire, 7.15 Better, 7.45 Storm Asset, 8.15 Van Zant.

TAUNTON: 2.20 Time To Dazzle, 2.50 Ryan’s Rocket, 3.20 Tuscan Rose, 3.50 Moytier, 4.20 Hara Kiri, 4.50 Cooleenymore, 5.20 Full Monty.