NAP of the Day: Mr Wagyu well worth a stake on Wednesday

The Betfred-sponsored card at Epsom on Wednesday evening features 53 intended runners - and there's no doubting who the main attraction is.

It's of course the veteran Mr Wagyu, who rates my NAP of the Day.

At the prime age of nine, I fancy MR WAGYU can earn his first win in nearly two years at Epsom on Wednesday.

Despite that slightly concerning record, I think John & Sean Quinn's much-loved sprinter will prove a cut above his five rivals in the Betfred Nifty 50 Handicap - a 0-90 affair over six furlongs.

I say his winless streak is only slightly concerning because there's important context to the numbers. This isn't a horse who's lost his way and is now operating, and struggling, at a lowly level. No, he's still trading with fellow seasoned handicap sprinters and more than holding his own.

For example, he returned this term with a fine second in a Ripon handicap off a mark of 90 before coming sixth of 21 in a highly-competitive affair at York's Dante Festival. He then finished runner-up over course and distance on Betfred Derby day, which was arguably his best effort since finishing third in the very same race last year.

Mr Wagyu's liking for Epsom is key to his chances on Wednesday. His record at the Surrey venue is excellent, finishing first, second and third in three runs, posting three-figure Racing Post Ratings on each occasion.

Back on the Downs and dropped in class, he must have a fantastic chance of returning to the winners' enclosure.

I agree with the 19:25 Epsom Odds in that the selection's biggest threat is Get It, who spent the winter months out in Bahrain before a successful return to the UK, taking a decent Windsor handicap just over a fortnight ago.

A resulting rise of just four pounds looks manageable and he should confirm form with third favourite Indian Creak, but ultimately he has no experience of this unique course and further progression is required if a peak Mr Wagyu shows up.

Frankly, Betties Bay, Princes Shabnam and Reveiller are hard to advise in this company.

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