Nap of the Day: Top conditional to continue red-hot form

There's five meetings to enjoy in the UK & Ireland on Friday - and my attention is on the early action at Newbury for the Nap of the Day.

A conditional jockey worth their claim and then some is extremely valuable in this game - and Lewis Saunders looks exactly that.

The youngster is learning his trade under Olly Murphy at Warren Chase Stables in Warwickshire and boasts some seriously impressive stats given his age and inexperience.

In 70 rides under rules, he's guided 15 to victory - a strike rate of 22%. That figure is an even better 27% when looking strictly at the current season.

It's fair to say he's very much on my radar, especially in conditional jockeys' races like the opener at Newbury on Friday.

He rides Murphy's BOBBY SOCKS, who boasts leading claims after an encouraging effort at Southwell earlier this month.

On his first run since wind surgery late last year, the eight-year-old son of Kayf Tara finished runner-up to a well-handicapped mare of Warren Greatrex's, who held her own off eight pounds higher next time out.

Six lengths behind the selection in Nottinghamshire was Ben Pauling's Whatsupwithyou, who ran out a comfortable winner at Ludlow last week.

A rise of just one pound is very fair and after you factor in Saunders' six-pound claim, Bobby Socks essentially competes off 102 on Friday. The last time he was around this mark, in the summer of 2023, he recorded a quick-fire double.

There ought to be plenty of improvement to follow, too, considering this is his second run after a wind op and he sports a first-time tongue tie. Hopefully that has its desired effect.

The ground - it's heavy in Berkshire at present - is a concern, but ultimately the selection is untried on anything worse than good to soft. He might cope just fine.

As far as I'm concerned, his most dangerous rival is Jeremy Scott's King Of The Lake. He was imperious on his first run after wind surgery and although a 10lb hike in the weights makes things more difficult, he could still be a long way ahead of his mark.

Star Of Affinity is in a similar boat. He's won the last twice, but is up another nine pounds for his latest victory.

None of the other four runners are completely hopeless, but they're double-figure prices for a reason.

I expected Bobby Socks to open around the 5/2 mark, so I very much advise taking the 4/1 that's currently available. I think that's outstanding value.

Get a 10% winnings boost on your win single bet if your selection wins this race.

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