NAP of the Day: Lucky seven for this 6/4 shot at Kempton?

After a couple of weeks off following the chaos of the Cheltenham Festival, my NAP of the Day column returns.

As I slowly switch attentions to the flat, Kempton's evening all-weather card is the focus for Wednesday's best bet.

Several top trainers, jockeys and owners are represented in the 18:30 - a maiden over seven furlongs for horses aged three and above - yet it doesn't look the strongest affair.

The majority of this 14-strong field have nothing more than modest form in the book and while some of the powerfully-bred and well-connected types could conceivably improve beyond recognition, there's only three on my shortlist from a winning perspective.

That trio is Rogue Encore, Celtic Warrior and MASHADI - and the latter gets the nod.

The son of Blue Point began his career for Richard Hannon and was runner-up on four occasions over the minimum trip. He then went to Dominic Ffrench Davis for just one run, which was lacklustre to say the least, before a gelding op and move to current trainer Kevin Philippart De Foy.

So far he's only ran once for new connections, over six furlongs in a handicap at Kempton almost exactly a month ago, and for me it was a career-best effort.

Mashadi finished runner-up, off a mark of 80, to a then 81-rated Karl Burke inmate who's since emerged from a Class 2 handicap off a three-pound higher mark with plenty of credit.

To be honest, you could argue the selection was unfortunate not to actually win the race. He was squeezed out at the start and lost several lengths but was closing the gap with every stride at the business end.

That form is strong and for me a replication of his latest effort should be enough to do the business here. Hopefully the application of first-time cheekpieces, plus another step up in trip, can help him get over the line this time.

Of the two aforementioned dangers it's Celtic Warrior I fear most, although I think he's got a good bit to find on Mashadi who can get off the mark at the seventh attempt.