Nap of the day: Port can deliver the goods at Doncaster

 | Saturday 28th March 2026, 18:08

Saturday 28th March 2026, 18:08

Nap of the day generic

It's an exciting time of year for Flat racing fans, as turf racing has returned to Britain this weekend. Doncaster's season-opening fixture kicked off with the Brocklesby and the Lincoln on Saturday, but there's more to come with another seven-race card on Sunday.

We've also got some cracking National Hunt action at Ascot and Downpatrick. The former hosts an intriguing £40,000 juvenile handicap hurdle, while Downpatrick offers up its biggest race of the season - the Ulster National.

There's one horse in particular who draws the eye of our expert and runs in one of Doncaster's £20,000 handicaps. The horse in question was a late bloomer last term and that often bodes well for a strong four-year-old campaign.

16:05 Doncaster

Nap Of The Day - Sunday, March 29

  • 16:05 Doncaster - Port Of London @ 11/4

*Odds correct as of the time of publication

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16:05 Doncaster - Port Of London @ 11/4

This looks like a warm event, which isn't a surprise, so there are several possible angles to consider. That being said, the John & Thady Gosden-trained PORT OF LONDON does potentially stand out from the rest.

The son of Night Of Thunder only made his debut in July and it's fair to say that he needed the run for both fitness and experience. Slow to get going that day, he also weakened quite quickly with three furlongs to go, but you can put a line through that performance.

We saw a completely different horse at Southwell a couple of months later and he ran a cracker to finish second behind a very smart winner. Hanging in the closing stages, it was clear that the penny hadn't quite dropped, but it was still a much improved display.

William Buick was on board at Kempton after that and he successfully made all the running to get off the mark with a thoroughly professional display. Stablemate Military Cross was back in second and he was a short head away from winning a couple of starts later.

Something was amiss on handicap debut next time, despite going off as the 2/1 favourite and he was never able to get into the race after being slow to get going. Leaving that run well behind him at Lingfield in December, he returned to winning ways in good style.

That was his first start since being gelded and perhaps that operation helped him to focus on the job in hand. A faster start allowed him to make all the running once again and he had far too much for his nine rivals in the end, eventually going on to score by two lengths.

The handicapper has responded with a 6lb rise, which should be manageable and this lightly raced sort should progress as a four-year-old.

Atherstone Warrior looks like one of the main dangers, while Liam Bailey's Say What You See was very progressive at the back end of last season and could have more to give.

Port Of London will need to prove his aptitude for the turf, but that's unlikely to be an issue and the gelding should go well upon his return from a break.

Doncaster 16:05 - Winner
Port Of London

Odds correct at time of publishing.

Naps table with Betfred Insights.

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