In the Southwell Back Jumping April 17th Interactive Novices’ Chase (3.10) on Tuesday, Nomadic Storm appears to have improved this season and, although 7lb higher in the weights than when winning on this course three weeks ago, still looks feasibly handicapped for his first attempt beyond 2 miles 1 furlong over fences. His five attempts at further over hurdles earlier in his career all ended in dismal failure, but he has officially improved 33lb since switched to fences last spring, so it would be unwise to judge him on those efforts.
The Nomadic Way gelding appeared to need all of 2 miles to overhaul Got The Nac last time and an extra 3½ furlongs should be within his compass, especially on the prevailing good going. Two wins at Southwell, one at Plumpton and one at Newton Abbott suggest that going left-handed on a sharp track suits him admirably and he looks a decent bet at around 11/4 in the early price lists.
Tom Scudamore, who’s ridden him to three of his four career wins, has a 30-118 (25%) strike rate for David Bridgwater in recent years, for a level stakes profit of 57.57 points, so his booking is hardly a hindrance.
Selection: Southwell 3.10 Nomadic Storm to win