Nap of the day: best horse racing tips for the day's five meetings

Thursday's best bets from the Racing Post's unbeatable Spotlights team

Doncaster

2.40: Storm Control

The front-runner Storm Control has dropped to a mark 5lb lower than when runner-up in the competitive Sky Bet Chase over course-and-distance in January and can capitalise on the step back up in trip, having posted a respectable effort in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham last time. Omar Maretti could rediscover his progressive ways now back from a break and may be the chief danger ahead of Gesskille, who has excelled over the National fences at Aintree the last twice. Dublin Four is another possible player if minimising the blunders.
Ben Hutton

Kelso

12.28: Schalke

Cases can be made for a few of these but top of the list is Schalke, who is untested on heavy ground but ran a big race in defeat on soft this month and is not yet fully exposed. Progressive mare Charm Offensive is yet to win away from Ayr but she may still have more improvement to come and is feared most, ahead of handicap debutant Inis Oirr.
Chris Wilson

Leopardstown

1.45: Gaillard Du Mesnil

With the benefit of his seasonal debut in the Drinmore Chase, and likely to improve over this trip, Gaillard Du Mesnil can prevail. A mishap at the eighth fence in the Drinmore was the undoing of Three Stripe Life who remains a fine chasing prospect. He was favourite then, having begun his chasing career with a wide-margin win from Unexpected Depth.
Alan Sweetman

Naps table: daily tipping selections from national newspaper experts

Limerick

2.35: Senior Chief

Senior Chief is quite hard to oppose now. He should be primed to take advantage of a nice opportunity, with Ik's Man, Purse Price and Chautuaqua obvious place contenders.
Johnny Ward

Southwell

6.30: Politics

Last year's runner-up Politics is taken to go one better and follow up his recent course-and-distance success. He's a stone lower in the weights than 12 months ago and should have more to offer for his sagacious new connections. Surprise Picture (second choice) is interesting off a handy mark back over 6f, while Justcallmepete, Blackjack, Shalaa Asker and Porfin are respected in their current form.
Steve Boow

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