Nap of the Day: Fast Steps and Murphy can land Windsor win

There is plenty of racing action on Monday with the Flat dominating after Saturday's jumps finale in Britain came at Sandown Park.

There are five UK and Irish meetings across the day, with cards at Ayr and Southwell in the afternoon, before Windsor, Naas and Wolverhampton take over in the evening.

Our Monday NAP comes from the evening card at Windsor, where Oisin Murphy will be hoping to notch a second course and distance win on board a Rod Millman-trained contender.

Windsor's regular Monday evening slot is now firmly up and running for the season. The Class 4 Gilbey's Bar, Restaurant & Townhouse, Eton Handicap over a mile-and-a-quarter is amongst the key attractions this week.

Mythical Guest was an easy winner at Yarmouth 16 days ago, cruising clear to score in wide-margin fashion on seasonal bow/first start after being gelded.

Callum Shepherd's partner must try to defy a 9lb rise in the rating for that success under different conditions now.

Asgard's Captain has improved no end on the all-weather in recent months – going up 19lb in the ratings via four wins in seven starts in 2024.

The four-year-old Make Believe gelding now must prove he can bring that level of form to the turf carrying top-weight on first turf outing for trainer Dylan Cunha.

All of that could help pave the way for FAST STEPS to go one better than his recent second over course and distance for trainer Rod Millman.

Having enjoyed a pipe-opener at Kempton at the start of the month, Fast Steps was produced to lead at the furlong marker by Jack Gilligan a fortnight ago and it looked to be a winning move. The fast-finishing Kotari however would have the final say, flying home with a wet sail to deny Fast Steps late on.

Fast Steps is 2lb higher in the ratings now, off 79, but his peak rating saw him as high as 86 and he should be capable of winning from this perch based on that recent showing.

Former champion jockey Oisin Murphy rides this evening and will be hoping to make it 2-2 over C&D on Fast Steps. That previous win came on soft ground, so the forecast conditions are optimal for this six-year-old.

Murphy is riding well, with a 21 percent strike-rate across the previous fortnight, and has a decent strike-rate for this trainer at 17 percent, similar to his career strike-rate at this venue. He can get on the scoresheet here once more.

Find our NAP of the Day here at Betfred Insights