Nap of the Day: Macedonian can step forward again

There are a trio of midweek meetings across Britain on Wednesday, with jumps fare coming from Market Rasen and Hereford ahead of the evening all-weather card at Kempton.

Wednesday's NAP scored at Kempton recently on handicap bow for Simon & Ed Crisford and could have another jolt of improvement to come.

Evening fare on the Polytrack comes from Kempton Park and MACEDONIAN is fancied to continue his progress for the Simon & Ed Crisford operation by landing the 7f handicap.

The Kodiac gelding showed ability in novice company, running a sound race over 6f at this venue in January that has produced five subsequent winners.

Macedonian became one of them when obliging back over track and trip three weeks ago on handicap debut.

He travelled smoothly on the inside rail in that contest but had to wait for the cutaway to get some racing room. He had plenty to do with two furlongs to run as the progressive favourite Early Release and an improving sort in Foro Romano looked to steal a march on the field.

Claiming rider Liam Wright got his partner into full cry, switching to the outside of eventual second Foro Romano, but they needed every single inch of the trip to get their heads in front where it mattered most.

That effort strongly suggests that stepping up in trip to 7f now will help elicit some further improvement from a 3lb higher mark.

Wright remains on board claiming 5lb and Macedonian is favoured over a trio of contenders in Solar Army, Pietro and Sabrimento that have contrived to finish second in the last six races they have contested.

Whizz By completed a hat-trick of wins at Southwell over 7f from October to January and was only denied by a progressive sort over a mile there last month.

The New Bay filly has been nudged up another pound by the handicapper for that effort, but should remain competitive and could be the principal danger to the selection.

She's rated 5lb inferior, though that is offset by Wright's claim in the saddle, and has scope for more progress herself, but her best form has all come at Southwell and she must prove her effectiveness at this venue, where she was last of five in her only previous run.

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