Jeremy Noseda’s Grandeur has already done us a few good turns including when winning the Winter Derby Trial recently. He looked a class above his rivals that day and the race will have brought him to his peak nicely for Saturday.
The £100,000 Winter has attracted a good class field but Grandeur still comes out on top on official figures. Surprisingly, he is yet to win above Listed class in Britain although he has won twice at Grade 2 level in America. He was runner-up to Mukhadram at York in July and also picked up a decent race at Goodwood in good style. His main target was the Arlington Million but he faced an impossible task from a wide draw that day and finished only seventh.
He had over a stone in hand on official ratings here last time but credit to Modernstone for getting fairly close in the closing stages. Ryan Moore gets on well with Grandeur and is already booked for Saturday. It looks like being a maximum field so hopefully he can avoid a wide draw.
The classiest performer in the opposition is 2011 Dewhurst Stakes winner Parish Hall. His last race was in the Champion Stakes at Ascot in October when ninth to Farhh. That was possibly flying a bit high and he would be a threat if he’s fit enough.
The former Mark Johnston-trained Windhoek won a handicap on his first start for Godolphin in January. He was a useful three-year-old last season, competing in several classic trials. His best chance is probably to be up with the pace as he seemed to lack a real turn of foot.
It will be interesting to see how Rebellious Guest gets on in this company. He did us a favour here a few weeks ago and I was kicking myself for deserting him at Kempton last time where he set a new track record. That was his first attempt at a mile and a quarter so there could be further improvement in him.
Graphic was progressive for William Haggas last season and I have plenty of respect for him too. He could develop into a group performer this season. It’s certainly shaping up to be a very good renewal of a race that hasn’t quite captured the imagination in recent years.
Grandeur at 6-4 Bet365
Betfair:
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Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
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Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
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Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
