NAP of the Day: It’s English Time – at home and abroad

It's a new, extremely warm week and Royal Ascot is firmly in the rear-view mirror. Thankfully, I must admit, for it was a joyless one for NAP of the Day followers.

Back to midweek action at Ffos Las? That's more like it...

It's ENGLISH TIME on Tuesday.

Five-and-a-half hours before the Three Lions take on Ghana in Boston, Harry Charlton's aptly-named three-year-old can oblige at Ffos Las.

The son of Hello Youmzain is a half-brother to French 2000 Guineas winner Marhaba Ya Sanafi who fetched 260k guineas as a yearling back in October 2024.

He ran just once as a juvenile, in a red-hot novice event at Newmarket won by the 104-rated Yazin with Princling (fifth in the Golden Gates Stakes at Royal Ascot on Saturday off a mark of 91) in second.

The selection was eighth, over 10 lengths off the pace at HQ. Given the strength of the race, plus the fact his trainer isn't exactly known for his two-year-old winners, it wasn't a disgraceful effort by any means.

Horse Racing Odds

English Time returned 196 days later in a Newbury novice, finishing fourth of 15, just two lengths off the unbeaten Extremely Zain. The winner went in again at York last month, bolting up in a 19-runner handicap off an opening mark of 93. He's been raised a further eight pounds as a result.

It was almost a case of third time lucky for the NAP at Doncaster just over a fortnight ago, but after hitting the front with a furlong or so left to travel, he was headed in the final few strides by Ralph Beckett's 88-rated Shipbourne.

Factoring in the seven pounds English Time was getting from the winner, he's probably worth a rating of 80+ himself - and if he runs to that level, let alone improves on it, on Tuesday, he ought to be very hard to beat.

West Byfleet and Foxy Night are the main dangers according to the betting.

I'll be disappointed if the selection comes unstuck at the hands of the former, but John Butler's runner can give us something to think about at least. Her third at Carlisle last time out is relatively decent form and she remains open to improvement.

Those aside, Wid is one to watch in the market for Ralph Beckett. Well-bred and well-connected, it wouldn't be a huge surprise if he puts his Doncaster debut behind him. A long way behind.

But easily the most likely circumstances in my book is English Time to do the business, before Tuchel and Co do likewise across the pond. Double, anyone?

Check out our NAPs Table daily to find a list of the experts' best bets