Nap of the Day: This is the Guy to back on Thursday

I'm writing this before the Wednesday's selection has run, but hopefully he obliges and gives us some much-needed confidence heading into the business end of the week.

Leicester is the destination for the Nap of the Day on Thursday - a progressive young horse making his handicap debut.

THIS GUY is putting together a progressive profile and the two-year-old looks ready to strike on handicap debut at Leicester on Thursday.

Clive Cox's son of Blue Point fetched £170k in August last year, which looked inflated and then some after a 16-length defeat at 6/4f on debut over the minimum trip at Newmarket in April.

However, his subsequent fourth to Godolphin duo Maximised (Woodcote winner) and Time To Turn (rated 93) in a Class 3 at Haydock the following month reads much, much better.

The half-brother to Listed winner and 2024 Falmouth Stakes runner-up Jabaara clearly enjoyed the step up to six furlongs - and given how green he continued to look, the four-and-a-quarter-length margin is respectable.

Connections lowered their sights for his next assignment at Chepstow, but he bumped into one in Flying Comet for Simon & Ed Crisford. He cost €350k and improved a lot for his debut at Nottingham a month prior. He looks a nice type going forward.

All of that earned That Guy an opening mark of 75, which I believe to be an underestimation of his ability.

He remains open to more improvement, especially as he steps up to seven furlongs. There's no shortage of stamina on his dam's side and I think he shapes like it'll suit.

Adding to my confidence in the selection is the form of his trainer. Cox is operating at a 23% strike rate, courtesy of three winners from 13 runners in the past fortnight.

His main competition is provided by Eyes Front, for Edward Smyth-Osbourne. The son of Soldier's Call's mark of 73 is lenient (it's due to rise 3lbs) and first-time cheekpieces can bring about improvement.

Booziebunch is on the watchlist too, as is Sioux Perfect, but I can't get away from This Guy who is the Nap of the Day.

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