Betfred’s Owen McMahon picks out his best bet from all six meetings across the UK & Ireland on Wednesday 16 August 2023.

My last and only visit to Beverley (so far) for our NAP of the Day feature was a fruitful one – and I’m hoping it can prove a happy hunting ground again on Wednesday afternoon.

Those hopes rest with Roger Varian’s two-year-old MAGSOOD, who must have every chance of getting off the mark here.

The twice-raced son of Too Darn Hot showed an abundance of promise when third in a decent maiden at Kempton in late June before placing in an even stronger event at Newmarket a month later.

That form looks relatively strong with the Godolphin-owned, odds-on winner holding an entry for the G2 Betfred Champagne Stakes at Doncaster on St Leger day and Whiskey Pete, who went close at Haydock the other day, filling the runner-up spot.

Magsood also boasts an entry for the Betfred Champagne Stakes and it’s fair to say he’ll need to be winning this 7½f maiden, which doesn’t look the best race of races, if he’s to fulfil that engagement.

User Amistoso for Michael Bell is probably the main danger, but he didn’t progress from his racecourse debut and looks vulnerable in this company. Novello Lad actually went backwards from his introduction – while the others with form in the book look to have it all to do.

There’s a couple of interesting newcomers such as Otto Flash for Karl Burke, but the selection sets a high standard that frankly I doubt they’ll be able to reach first time out.

I think the slight step up in trip will really suit Magsood, who has opened at an attractive price that I envisage shortening closer to the off.