The Pier is potentially thrown in at the weights in the 2.30 at Lingfield and is of serious interest at 8/1.
The gelding was a useful sort when trained in Ireland by Joseph Murphy, winning three times on the level.
His last win came off a mark of 82 in a competitive affair at Listowel back in September 2009, and he showed he handled the all-weather surface when going on to be beaten just a head off 85 in a 14 runner handicap at Dundalk in 2010.
The six-year-old then won a maiden hurdle for Murphy off an official rating of 118, and finished a fair fifth of 14 to Reggae Rock off a mark of 80 on his penultimate start on the level at Dundalk for that handler before joining David Pipe.
The son of Alhaarth has since shown improvement in four runs over the sticks for the Pond House handler, finishing an excellent second on his first start off a mark of 122 and going on to run a coupe of solid races in decent handicaps at Chepstow and Sandown off 127.
His shrewd handler now switches him back to the level, and he gets into this contest off just 72.
That means that he is now 10lb lower than his last success on the flat, and makes him look dangerously well-treated – especially with Simon Pearce in the saddle taking another 3lb off his back.
He also has winning form over the trip, and everything looks in place for a massive run.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 3pts each-way The Pier (8/1 sportingbet)
