Horse Racing Tips: Rhys Williams' NAP is a maiden hurdler at Fakenham

Ran well for a long way last time

Fakenham 15:40: Zulu Dawn 1pt e/w 14/1

Zulu Dawn hasn't looked the easiest ride at times but I think he has a better chance than the market suggests with cheekpieces going on for the first time.

He showed ability in maiden and novice hurdles without winning and was sent off a short-priced favourite for his handicap debut at Uttoxeter three starts ago. He was held up before making some headway early in the home straight but his head went up when asked for effort and he could only plug on late into third.

He finished well beaten next time at Fontwell but the ground was very testing that day and I'm not sure he handled it so that can be excused.

Zulu Dawn returned after a 127-break last time at Southwell back on good ground and with a tongue tie on for the first time. He initially set up towards the back on the outside but soon made ground into a fairly handy position. He was chasing the leaders four wide turning the final bend and had responded well to being pushed along to be about 1½ lengths down at 2 out when he made a bad mistake, the bridle was dislodged and he was pulled up.

That was a far more encouraging performance from Zulu Dawn and I expect he would have at least finished in the first four but for that mistake at 2 out. It showed that the tongue tie had a positive impact and I think the application of cheekpieces today could help too as he has been a bit on and off the bridle at times and they may help him apply himself more under pressure too.

I have a concern that this may not be the ideal track for Zulu Dawn and he may prefer a more galloping track and there is still a worry about how much he will find under pressure but this is a very weak race and if he had finished the race last time I expect he would be about half his current price. Any 10/1 or bigger appeals.