Trust O’Brien the younger to get best out of well-related Gigginstown recruit

Six-year-old gelding
Midnight Legend (sire) - Trial Trip (dam)
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien
Owner: All Four One
Form figures: 374-21
Racing Post Rating 146h Official rating 145h
Just one bumper win from 11 starts before losing his maiden status over hurdles at Kelso recently, when he could only really beat himself at the odds. He is passing time over hurdles and connections must be looking forward to the day he goes over fences. Watching his Kelso win, they should be thinking about the switch now. Further improvement should be forthcoming when he steps up to 3m-plus too, as was the case with his half-brother, Chase The Spud, who won a Midlands National for the yard. If he takes to fences, gaining valuable experience through the winter, he could easily nick a proper pot in the spring.

Batts Rock: improver on the Flat could win a nice handicap over hurdlesCredit: Patrick McCann

Batts Rock
5g Fastnet Rock - Be My Queen
Gordon Elliott
Noel & Valerie Moran
23
RPR 125h OR –
Improved on the Flat this summer and on his way to a handicap mark over hurdles after two placed efforts at Punchestown and Down Royal, both on goodish ground. I don't see him making much of an impact on soft ground this winter, but he's going to be in position A come the spring, when the ground is more in his favour and he could pick up a nice handicap. There is room for improvement at his obstacles, something that will come with experience, and punters should keep him in mind on good or faster, when he's got a mark.

Deyrann De Carjac
5g Balko - Queyrann
Alan King
J Law
0/332-12
RPR 123h OR 128h
All his form to date is over 2m, including when runner-up behind Pym at Chepstow last month, conceding 6lb to a useful rival, with daylight back to the third. He's a good prospect to have on your side based on limited opportunities so far, but chances are he will hit on a surge of improvement when he steps up in trip and if he can't make full use of a lenient-looking 128 I'll be on a loser. All his best form is on good ground, so that might be the key with him, but Balko's progeny usually relish a bit of dig and soft ground wouldn't put me off backing him, initially anyway.