Risk Material was a dire disappointment on his seasonal debut at Sandown last month but he can bounce back to form in the listed Savel Beg Stakes at Leopardstown this evening.
The winner of three of his nine starts last season, Risk Material encountered some pretty hot opposition including when set a huge task in the King George at Ascot. In more reasonable company he proved himself Group class with a victory in the Derby Trial over this course last spring.
The result of that is that he must give weight away all around tonight and he is also being asked to race further than he ever has before. Throw that in with his Sandown sixth to Generous Rosi and the opposition will hardly be quaking. However, there are some question marks hanging over most of them, too.
The November Handicap winner and St Leger fourth Enzeli proved herself progressive last season and at the ratings has an obvious chance here. However, it is her first start of the term and John Oxx's string have been slow out of the blocks so far.
Catch The Dragon is also unproven over the trip while in contrast Michael Grassick's Royal Ascot winner San Sebastian could find the 14 furlongs too short.
Whatever the fate of various foreign forays, Aidan O'Brien's team have been in cracking form at home and in Risk Material he has a horse who definitely has the shape of one who will stay. Indeed, Sandown indicated he may relish more of a stamina test. Risk Material's guts have never been in doubt and as the ground dries out, he will come even more into his own.
Despite being asked to race a quarter mile further than previously asked, Risk Material is the selection.
O'Brien and Michael Kinane will also be associated with a number of interesting newcomers this evening but the proven form of a couple of Kevin Prendergast's string could prove too much for them.
The three-year-old Danehill colt Musketeer goes in the Regine Maiden and along with the Oxxtrained Hierarchy and the Weld newcomer Apollo Bay, he will demand some attention. However, Prendergast's Institutrice has run into some very smart types in her two races to date and unless one of the newcomers proves up to the standard of a Sunspangled or Aspen Leaves, she will take some beating.
