Nap of the Day: The case for Crystal Pier is crystal clear

After a luckless start to the week for Nap of the Day followers, I'm going for a shorter-priced fancy on Wednesday hoping to get a point on the board.

It's to Doncaster we go in search of exactly that, trusting a once-raced filly for top connections.

She's priced accordingly, but I expect CRYSTAL PIER to take plenty of beating in this filles' novice over seven furlongs at Doncaster on Wednesday.

Ralph Beckett's two-year-old daughter of Palace Pier and half-sister to Serene Seraph fetched 85k guineas before making her debut in a Class 2 over the same trip at Newbury last month.

She finished third of nine in Berkshire, exactly two lengths off the winner - Stimulative Trip for David Menuisier.

That was the latter's debut and she's yet to reappear, but the runner-up Mystic Moment had a couple of fine efforts already to her name and she bolted up at Epsom next time out. She's been awarded a rating of 79.

I felt the selection was unfortunate not to beat that one into second and possibly even trouble the judge, after a troublesome trip.

She lost several lengths at the start as a result of a slow break and after making good headway throughout the middle part of the race, Crystal Pier had to chart the widest course in order to avoid traffic problems. She finished strongly and was ultimately just a head behind the runner-up.

There ought to be lots more to come from her as she drops into Class 4 company against relatively modest rivals.

Of those with form already in the book, it's Sir Mark Prescott's Aleen who represents the main danger. She was fifth on her debut and is also entitled to improve - though plenty of that is needed.

James Ferguson's debutant Flash Of Fire is one that needs a market check. The daughter of Wootton Bassett, in the famous Qatar Racing colours, boasts an appealing profile and the Champion Jockey rides.

However, it's a high standard she and the aforementioned Aleen have to reach if Crystal Pier improves as much as I expect.

Under the excellent Rossa Ryan, she's the Nap for me.

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