Nap of the Day: All try it on the Western front ..

It's to Kempton Park that we venture for Wednesday's Nap of the Day - another tip from yours truly, The Sandman, in my colleague Owen's absence. You'll be thrilled to know he's back in harness shortly!

Tuesday's selection, Talis Evolvere, advised at 9/4, WON. A typical, well-timed, professional ride from the magnificent Rossa Ryan. We're bidding to make it two-from-two before Owen resumes his crystal ball gazing ..

So - to a cracking Polytrack contest over 6f, not many runners, but a fascinating look to it and pretty open betting.

A Class 4 nursery handicap for 2-yr-olds, over 6f.

The likely first three in the betting all come from a contest over course-and-distance 4 weeks go - namely Honest Desire, Western, and Kodiac Thriller. Western fared best of the three that day, beaten just a head, not that there was a great deal in it between them all at the line.

He arguably had the run of the race, too. Got away in good order, and was never far from the pace. The other two however came from the rear - Kodiac Thriller wasn't badly drawn in 5 but was held up on the inside, while Honest Desire was badly drawn in 12 and never looked like getting there, running on up the middle of the straight, too late.

My take though is that Western, who has readily stayed a furlong further in two of his five career starts, was ridden with that knowledge in mind, and what he might lack for in gears he'll make up for in cruising speed and resolution at the death.

Kodiac Thriller had I feel every chance of getting to the top two in the last furlong but never looked like doing so, eventually going down by 1.5l. Honest Desire was set an impossible task, and went down gallantly by 3l.

Western today is the least well-drawn of the three, in the 7 box. I'd imagine jockey Kieran Shoemark would want to bounce out and sit fairly prominently, using the horse's ability to travel and stay. I don't think he'll be wanting a mad, two-furlong dash for the line after a tactical crawl. The other two would-be protagonists are drawn 1 and 2; great if they are to be sent forward, but potentially problematic if they are to be held up again.

Western looks nice and uncomplicated to me, they'll have learned more about him from last time, and it was a career-best display. Richard Hannon trains, and he runs in the famous Highclere Racing silks. Found nicely for pressure late in the piece without being knocked about, too. I think - I hope - there's a little bit more in his locker for the big day.

Could be improving nicely, and I'm extremely hopeful that he can open his account for the first time on Wednesday afternoon.

Betfred Insights Nap of the Day