Nap of the Day: Criminal to ignore Kempton claims for Hughes’ charge

After the highs of the Betfred St Leger and the Irish Champions Festival across the weekend, there is a more sedate feel to Monday's racing action, though still with four cards in Britain to enjoy. They come at Brighton, Thirsk and Kempton (AW) on the Flat as well as over jumps at Worcester, with 31 races across the afternoon and evening.

Monday's NAP was second-best at Ascot in July in a race that has worked out very well and he may break through for trainer Richard Hughes in the opening contest at Kempton.

16:25 Kempton Odds

The Richard Hughes-trained CRIMINAL has an experience advantage over his rivals ahead of this Kempton novice contest and it could help the Sea The Moon gelding get his maiden win on the board.

He ran well on debut over 1m2f here in April, finishing fourth, and was then third at Chester on his turf bow over a similar trip in early May.

He dropped to an extended mile at Wolverhampton (fourth) later the same month but his best effort to date came at Ascot (1m4f, good) on handicap debut in July.

He was allotted an opening mark of 80 based on the promise shown previously and ran on well to finish second behind the William Haggas-trained favourite Tenability, having had to wait for racing room in the home straight.

He was clear second-best at the line and that form reads rather well, the winner 2-2 since at Ascot in higher grades, most recently scoring off a mark of 92 as he completed a four-timer.

The fourth from that July race also scored on his next start and Criminal may well match them in obliging now.

He faces a couple of Godolphin rivals from the John & Thady Gosden team. Debutant Military Cross has already been gelded before making the racecourse and has Benoit De La Sayette on board. Of most interest could be Port Of London, the mount of William Buick.

The Night Of Thunder colt ran no race on debut at Windsor on soft ground in July, but he did improve on that when second at Southwell this month over 1m3f.

He looked to be coming to win but was overhauled by the Charlie Appleby-trained newcomer Race To The Stars. Port Of London was wandering around at the finish in that contest and is clearly learning his trade.

Based on the manner in which Criminal came home at Ascot, Finley Marsh's partner is expected to prove strongest at this point in their respective careers.

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