took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden well over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
chased leaders to halfway, soon weakened
made all, ridden well over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, all out
was held up behind, was ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on and edged left inside final furlong
chased winner, ridden over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, just held
held up towards rear and keen, effort when hampered over 1f out, kept on final furlong, finished 4th, placed 3rd
towards rear, ridden and headway to chase leaders over 2f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
Anything that Aidan O'Brien runs in this race has to be given the utmost respect and Grand Reward could provide the key to what is sure to be a very informative contest. The improving Balmont and Ballykeating are also entitled to be involved at the finish, while it would be very dangerous to underestimate Majestic Missile in his bid for the four-timer. William Haggas' charge is a half-brother to Parisian Elegance and has the stamina for at least seven furlongs in his pedigree. However, he recorded a very good time when winning the Molcombe Stakes and will be very hard to beat if he repeats that performance - although he faces much tougher opposition this time around. And the fact that the O'Brien team have seen fit to keep Grand Reward under wraps after his impressive debut is enough to swing the vote in the favour of the Ballydole raider today. The selection is a full brother to the top-class Sophisticat and can be expected to make an impact at anything between six furlongs to a mile. His racecourse bow indicated that he has also inherited plenty of speed and his power-packed profile should ensure that he will not be found wanting at this stamina-sapping track.
