Nap of the Day: Dig Deep? He might not need to

After that disaster on Monday - That's Nice drifted from 13/8 to 5/1 and was duly beaten 30 lengths at Exeter - I'm eager to get back on track, and I think I've found a good opportunity to do so on Wednesday.

Trainer Ben Pauling has been kind to Nap of the Day followers this season and it's another of his that catches the eye at Warwick.

I expect DIG DEEP to take a good bit of beating in this 2m5f novices' hurdle at Warwick on Wednesday.

Ben Pauling's four-year-old, who fetched £120k after finishing runner-up to one that's since placed at the Punchestown Festival and joined Willie Mullins in a point-to-point, made a highly-encouraging debut over hurdles at Ffos Las a few weeks ago.

He bumped into Philip Hobbs & Johnson White's Starzand in West Wales, who bolted up in his bumper and has immediate Grade 1 aspirations over hurdles, so it was no mean feat to give him as much to think about as he did - especially as he "wasn't fit" according to Pauling in a recent stable tour with the Racing Post.

The form received its first test at Lingfield on Tuesday and the fifth-placed Gatineau Park franked it, beating five rivals including an odds-on shot for the Skeltons. I don't think that'll be the last time it happens, either.

Dig Deep, who Pauling also labelled "very smart" and perhaps one for the EBF Final in the aforementioned stable tour, should strip a lot fitter and improve plenty for the experience, which is a major advantage in a field made up of five rivals all lacking a run.

Dan Skelton's Sallyville Lady is the big danger according to the betting, but I'm unconvinced. She bolted up by 10 lengths on her only start between the flags, but that form hasn't worked out at all and bar the exceptional ones, the yard's novice hurdlers have been in need of a run. Big time.

I fear Jackpot Cauveliere for Harry Derham more. He won his point-to-point by 20 lengths and fetched six figures at the sales. He might be ready.  The market should tell us.

Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls' Sogna In Grande will be one for another day I reckon, while Might As Well and Paul Manate are hard to advise in this company.

It's Dig Deep for me on what could be a fine day for Mr. Pauling.

Click the links for all the latest Horse Racing Odds and Fast Racing Results

Tune into Betfred Insights regularly to find our experts' Nap of the Day