Easter Classic All-Weather Middle Distance Guide

Allez Henri (D Proudhomme) 9-7243

Regular on the French all-weather scene, although wins are fairly few and far between. Thorough stayer at this trip and could be allowed his own way in front, if Battalion isn’t sent on. Still hard to see him being good enough to take this though.

Batallion (J Osborne) 211-36

Hit the ground running for new stable, but a shade disappointing - albeit behind two high-class rivals - in Winter Derby Trial and laboured sixth in Derby itself leaves him with ground to make up on a number of these. Slow starts have become habitual, but of more concern was jockey’s report last time out that he’d been reluctant to race. Interesting jockey booking.

Convey (Sir M Stoute) 6235-1

Flew to get best of bunch finish for Winter Derby on first start since being gelded. Move up in trip clearly not a problem and every chance that he will repeat the form, however he wasn’t one to absolutely rely on last season (career strike-rate hardly compelling) and needs to prove he has turned over a new leaf now. Return of Ryan Moore to the saddle could hardly be considered a negative and interesting connections are already eyeing a big international Group One in Hong Kong after this.

Grendisar (M Botti) 143-45

Convincing winner of this 12 months ago and has followed the same path back to the same race, but with nowhere the same level of performance. Blinkers last time failed to produce fireworks and cheekpieces are back on now. Doesn’t have a lot to find to overturn this season’s formlines and possible that the booking of De Sousa might help him find what’s been missing, but suspicion nevertheless remains that his best days may now be behind him.

Metropol (P Brandt) 5-2135

French form doesn’t look good enough, but no crabbing his effort in this race 12 months ago, where he was only nailed close home by Grendisar having travelled powerfully and arguably hit the front too soon. Got his head in front again recently under this jockey and likely to be ridden more patiently this year, but did his best chance of success come last year?

Third Time Lucky (R Fahey) 5-4130

Interesting roll of the dice to come up in trip rather than go for the Mile, but overall balance of recent form suggests he might struggle to come up with enough to take this, even if application of hood may help him to settle better in order to see out the distance.  

Van Huysen (D Ffrench-Davis) 1-2433

Consistent, improving and likeable Lingfield specialist. Sadly, he’s out of his depth here.

Absolute Blast (A Watson) -11231

Proved a revelation this winter and has continued upward curve despite another switch of stable. Successfully made the jump from ordinary handicaps to better company, confirming evidence of clock earlier this winter and only beaten half a length by Convey in Winter Derby. A little bit concerning that she hung right under maximum pressure that day, but showed no ill-effects when scoring in style at Kempton subsequently. Suspicion remains that she isn’t fully straightforward, but if the cards fall right, her finishing kick will give her every chance.

Elbereth (A Balding) 1233-1

Group One-placed in Italy last season and doesn’t have the typical profile for this race, but latest Dundalk win should not be underestimated, given that she accounted for a very solid and in-form rival who finished second in this race last year. Possible problem is that she definitely stays further than this 10-furlong trip and may just be vulnerable to something with a turn of foot close home.

VERDICT:

Far from easy to work out how this unfold tactically, and from stall one Batallion would have potential to lead if somehow able to turn back the clock to the days before he stopped enjoying leaving the stalls. Elbereth will have to be ridden reasonably positively, but might just end up teeing things up for a finisher like Absolute Blast or CONVEY. The latter was set some pretty stiff tasks last year and there’s enough juice in his price to make it worth taking the chance that his latest victory was no flash in the pan.