Nap of the day: free horse racing tips for the day's six meetings

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

Ascot

5.35: TWILIGHT PAYMENT

It's some buzz to watch Stradivarius and he is the thoroughly proven class act in this field but his superiority on current evidence is nothing like as big as his winning margin in this race last term and this promises to be a competitive renewal, with several rivals who are not so far off him on form and could take a step forward faced with this test for the first time. There is always the chance with him of trouble in running as well. Consequently, it may well prove better to cheer than to back him at the likely very short odds and an appealing each-way alternative is Twilight Payment (nap). The Irish-trained eight-year-old has been around the block even more times than Stradivarius but winning last year's Melbourne Cup reiterated what he can do over 2m and he's long looked a strong candidate for even further. Subjectivist, Trueshan and Spanish Mission are all major players, while the German-trained Rip Van Lips might just be a surprise package.
Richard Austen

Chelmsford

3.20: PATH OF THUNDER

Sky Commander and Newbolt both have the ability to win a race like this but neither comes here on the back of a good run. Path Of Thunder (nap) does, though, and he can gain compensation for narrowly failing to make the cut for the Royal Hunt Cup.
Paul Smith

Naps table: daily tipping selections from national newspaper experts

Ffos Las

8.50: OLYMPIC HONOUR

This can go to Olympic Honour (nap), who cashed in on a reduced mark with a brave win under Isabel Williams at Fontwell last month and a 3lb rise for that success looks fair. Dancingwith Storms has posted three solid efforts since returning from a long absence in March and he's feared most back at this trip on his first run after wind surgery. Another key player is Easkey Lad, who got off the mark with a last-gasp win over course and distance two weeks ago.
David Moon

Leopardstown

7.45: CROWNS MAJOR

Hard to get away from Crowns Major (nap). This represents a good opportunity for the Punchestown bumper winner, probably at the main expense of Zuma Rock. Others of note include bumper winners Ever Present, Risk Factor and Monas Melody.
Brian Sheerin

Lingfield

7.40: KAYFAST WARRIOR

A few of these are open to improvement now handicapping with Lowndes Square and Amlwch perhaps the most interesting of that group, but Kayfast Warrior (nap) has shown enough in both starts since returning from a gelding operation to suggest he can win a race of this nature. Your Love Is King is another to note with his sire having such a good record here.
David Bellingham

Ripon

2.15: HARLEM SOUL

Bred to be smart, Harlem Soul (nap) shaped like a winner in waiting over 1m3f here two weeks ago and looks the one to beat on his handicap debut. Fight For It still has some untapped potential and may pose the main threat.
Richard O'Brien

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