Keith Melrose believes an improving outsider should relish unique Eider test

The Eider is a specialist contest and can vary quite a lot in terms of the quality of runners from year to year. Top weights in the last ten years have run off marks that range from 149 down to 135. This year is very much towards the lower end, with Prime Venture way out on his own off 136.

The race has been extended this year, by 154 yards, putting even more emphasis on stamina. There is a school of thought that tends towards light weights on deep ground, which regardless of its merits is essentially moot this year as Isabel Williams' claim on Prime Venture means the spread of weights across the field is just a stone.

Bottom weight Financial Outcome could be a bit of a surprise package. He is a dour stayer who has not yet had a chance to show it. Given a first try beyond three miles, he won at Doncaster by 28 lengths in January. He gained minor notoriety 11 days later when sending Lorcan Williams around his neck when leading four out at Uttoxeter, before the rider made a miraculous recovery.