Nap of the day: best horse racing picks for the day's five meetings

Friday's best bets from the Racing Post's unbeatable Spotlights team

Dundalk

5.00: Collective Power

A number of these met here a fortnight ago with Collective Power (nap) coming out on top, and the way this C&D maiden winner finished out his race after encountering some traffic problems two furlongs out, suggests he could be difficult to contain. Last year's winner Maggie Thunder is coming down in the weights and could go well again whilst Our Louise could also surprise a few.
Seamus Howard

Hereford

3.55: Aggagio

Gary Moore's Aggagio (nap) is only 1lb well-in with his penalty after romping home last week but he must have every chance of going in again. Social City, a multiple Flat winner making his handicap debut over hurdles, could be the danger. Moscow Spy is the dark one lurking.
Alistair Jones

Musselburgh

2.20: Iolani

Last year's 9l winner Iolani (nap) was well beaten in a handicap at Newcastle 17 days ago but there was the same outcome in that race 12 months ago, when also returning from a break, and there can be optimism he will again be a different proposition this afternoon. The novice Byzantine Empire has had a good season and is second choice now back on better ground, with the in-form Saryshagann next on the list ahead of Evita Du Mesnil.
Ben Hutton

Newcastle

8.15: Cowboy Soldier

Lynns Boy is the obvious starting point after his wide-margin win at Southwell ten days ago, but he will have the speedy and thriving Blackcurrent to worry about at the head of affairs this time. Stall 1 isn't ideal for Blackcurrent but he is still expected to go well, while Swiss Connection, Joshua R and Elzaal are others to come into the reckoning. Cowboy Soldier (nap) had a thin time of things for Roger Fell last year but he ran to a useful level on his reappearance, enhancing a good record fresh, and this may be the time to catch him. He's potentially thrown in ahead of his first start for an upwardly mobile yard.
Paul Smith

Newton Abbot

1.55: Imperial Joe

How's The Cricket has nothing to prove regarding his stamina and is particularly intriguing on his debut for Harry Fry after an absence but Imperial Joe (nap) has come on a good deal of late and is taken to follow up his Exeter win with the longer trip not expected to be a problem. Lil Codey is next on the list, with Checkitsme likely to be involved as well.
Emily Weber

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