Gordon Elliott will be hoping Pied Piper can give Ireland yet another success in the prestigious staying handicap on the Rowley Mile this afternoon.
The gelded son of New Approach won twice when formerly trained by John and Thady Gosden and quickly developed into a smart juvenile hurdler for new connections.
He finished third in the 2022 renewal of the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and came even close to festival glory when going down by a head in the County Hurdle at Prestbury Park last season.
Gordon Elliott's charge had his attentions turned to the level following a summer absence and shaped nicely when third on reappearance at Killarney in August. That outing will likely have put him spot-on for today's assignment and with Ryan Moore booked to partner the five-year-old, hopes are understandably high in the Pied Piper camp.
Joey Logan, racing manager for owners Caldwell Construction, said: It's very interesting and we're really looking forward to it,"
"He's in great form and his prep up to this has been very good, so Gordon is very happy with him.
"He is on a nice mark (96) and he's after having a good break from jumping last year. He's come back a bigger, stronger and fresher horse. It's a big ask in a big field but we're very happy with him.
"It's going to be a messy race and it's a big field as we all know, but hopefully Ryan will be in a nice position and will be happy. We're very lucky and Gordon has done a great job, we're really looking forward to having Ryan Moore riding him."
Speaking on his Betfair blog, Moore said: "He is probably a bit short in the betting considering the competitiveness of the race, but he clearly has a leading chance. He was a good Flat horse when with John Gosden and he finished a decent sixth in the Ascot Stakes last season and warmed up for this with a spin on the level at Killarney in August.
But obviously, the main focus of his chance is his hurdling form and the fact that a 157-rated performer in that sphere can race off a mark of 96 here. More rain won't harm his chances as some of his best National Hunt form has come in very testing ground."
Pied Piper is a general 6/1 chance for the staying feature this afternoon.
