Nap of the Day: Lingfield novice, as we look to follow-up

Always a pleasure to start with glad tidings about yesterday's Nap, Farasi Lane, who comfortably did the business for us at Wolverhampton on Tuesday night. Part of a Rossa Ryan treble - what a talent the Arc hero is. So good.

For Wednesday's best bet I'm heading to Lingfield, and their bumper NINE-race all-weather card on the Polytrack. Here's the rationale ...

17:22 Lingfield

17:22 - Westport @ 6/4

The contest is the penultimate one on Lingfield's card; a 6f Class 4 novice stakes event. Some nice yards are represented but the one I like is trained by George Boughey at Newmarket and will be ridden by the winning machine that is Billy Loughnane.

Westport races in the famous yellow with black spots silks of the late Sheikh Mohammed Obaid. He's a three-year-old gelding by Blue Point, a terrific G1 sprinter for Godolphin and who won the Gimcrack at two by 3l no less, and the Diamond Jubilee at the age of five.

Our selection has yet to run - but this looks a fine starting point for a horse who I'm sure given his breeding, address and owner is one who carries weighty expectations.

The main danger seems to be Comprador of those who we can get a nice handle on, form-wise. He ran well here on debut, beaten a half-length, and went up to Newcastle only to get turned over at 2/5 in a maiden. The winner there has since scored narrowly at Southwell in a handicap off 70, so we've got a reasonable idea of Comprador's standing.

In that first run here, a novice, the danger was beaten by an exposed five-year-old and also an inmate of Boughey's, Alasrae. That horse has gone on to win twice and be second once, now rated 78.

George will know through Alasrae exactly where he stands in comparison to his entry tonight, Westport, and though our pick will doubtless improve for the run and the experience I can see him performing to a higher level even first time up on a racecourse.

So, I'm going for potential. The old firm of Boughey and Loughnane plunder these races for fun. They should know just where they stand with one of the likely principals, and from the two box Billy will have several options.

An ordinary novice can fall to a hopefully slightly (or better) out-of-the-ordinary gelding. Yes, gelding. No fancy breeding aspirations and kid-glove handling. I'm guessing he'll be campaigned to win good races, and hopefully that can start right here.

Naps table with Betfred Insights.