Nap of the Day: Sousa de best bet for march to Yarmouth glory

Soi Dao hosed up at Chepstow yesterday to land our second successive nap (advised 10/3, returned 9/4). Glorious. As with a couple of weeks ago, we're on a hat-trick again! Great stuff.

'Little fish taste as sweet.' By no means is this the first time I've used that old saying in these columns, but a winner's a winner, is it not, irrespective of whether at Group level or more humble origins. We have a case in point here with Friday's Nap Of The Day - a seaside Classified Stakes race for a first prize of around £3,400. Little fish indeed ... let's try and reel him in.

17:05 Yarmouth

Fast Racing Results

17:05 Yarmouth - Ribston Pippin @ 11/4

For Friday's best bet we're heading to Yarmouth, and a modest little one mile Classified Stakes contest. First track I ever attended, but being pretty microscopic and pram-bound at the time wrestling no doubt with a Farley's s rusk I can't say I've any recollection of it all, sadly.

The entry conditions are 'for 3-yr-old+ rated 0-50.' Ribston Pippin just sneaks in (rated 50), but as a three-year-old is designated to carry 9st 2lb under the race's agreed terms.

The older horses are all set to carry 9st 9lb, and as a result of being penalised for a recent win another three-year-old is carrying 9st 8lb. Given the selection's official mark of 50, if this was an ordinary handicap, he's quite well in generally speaking and trainer Lemos De Souza has gone the full nine yards in my view and booked brilliant Brazilian Silvestre De Sousa to do the steering - and hopefully punch home the advantage.

Just six days ago Ribston Pippin produced a career-best in running a Tim Easterby-trained conveyance to half-a-length at Redcar. He certainly ran right up to his mark on that occasion and is now turned out swiftly for this, with Silvestre engaged. I like the vibe. A lot.

It was a mile at Redcar (same today) and as the gelded son of Ribchester is having only race number five of his life there's a good chance we might see a wee bit more improvement yet.

In all candour he'd not been competitive in his three initial maidens but on handicap debut last time was absolutely in the thick of it throughout.

Silvestre often rides at Yarmouth and is a frequent visitor to the winner's circle. There's a sporting chance in my book that he can do so again on Friday afternoon.

Nap Of The Day from Betfred Insights.