Potential improver looks underestimated

No. 4
Apasionado
2.25 Sandown
1pt win at 9-1 with bet365, Sky Bet and Betfair

Stuart Edmunds has gained a reputation for improving horses from other yards and this five-year-old has made giant strides since leaving Mervyn Torrens in Ireland, completing a hat-trick in bumpers and over hurdles for his new stable.

Apasionado was an easy 14-length winner on his hurdles debut at Uttoxeter in October and built on that when comfortably scoring at Huntingdon last month. He beat Lisheen Prince by two and a quarter lengths and that form is strong. The second and third are both subsequent winners and the front three pulled well clear.