Keith Melrose's expert analysis plus trainer quotes for the Listed Grand Cup

3.40 Doncaster
Betway Grand Cup Stakes (Listed) | 1m6½f | 4yo+ | ITV4/SKY

At its usual home of York, this race has a solid history for a Listed race over a staying trip. To win it in the past decade has required, on average, a performance of 112 on RPRs.

Look at the pick of form behind Red Verdon and King's Advice and you would say this is an up-to-scratch renewal. The former beat Gold Mount (2019 winner of this race) in the Silver Cup at York in July, although that run stands out on his recent profile.

At around the same time, King's Advice was on the rampage in handicaps, winning eight of nine starts and ultimately showing Group-class form, but he too has struggled since to recapture the magic. He offered only limited encouragement in the Sagaro last week but will surely play more of a part here. If nothing else, there are few other potential front-runners and Franny Norton could well seize the initiative.

Franny Norton: could well seize the initiative on King's AdviceCredit: Harry Trump (Getty Images)

Barring a resurgence from one of those two, the door is ajar for a below-standard winner of the race. The race lacks a solid, if-the-favourites-falter option but instead contains horses that will be well worth looking back on whatever happens in the race.

Euchen Glen is the place to start. He is a stayer who dropped in trip to win the John Smith's Cup in 2018. He has not been seen since, but in the meantime runner-up Thundering Blue and third-placed Kynren have done plenty for the form. The horse he was would have every right to be contesting favouritism, but that is naturally up for question after 701 days off the track.

Grace And Danger and Hasanabad both come from the direction of untapped potential. Grace And Danger was close up in a Listed race at Chester over 1m4f behind Sextant and Manuela De Vega in September and should suit a longer trip. Hasanabad is bred to be a classy middle-distance sort and is just the type that Ian Williams, for whom he makes his second start, will turn into a useful stayer in time.
Keith Melrose

What they say

Jim Goldie, trainer of Euchen Glen
He's had nearly two years off and it'll be nice to get him back going again. If he comes home safe and sound we'll be happy. He goes with some cut in the ground, so the surface should be fine for him.

Ian Williams, trainer of Hasanabad and Reshoun
Ryan Moore is back on Hasanabad having ridden him last year. With the benefit of a gelding operation and a good winter we think he's ready to step up to this level, although it'll be a tough ask against proven horses. We're tilting at windmills a little with Reshoun, who is a proven handicapper at the top of his game.

Ed Dunlop, trainer of Red Verdon
He likes Doncaster and has worked nicely on the round gallop under Kieren Fallon of late. This looks the right race for him.

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