17th Dec 2016 | Horse Racing
Quebec Stakes Tip: Battalion
Grendisar lacked sparkle on his comeback run whilst Battalion clocked a rapid 22s closing sectional last time out.
I’m a massive fan of Grendisar but I must confess to being disappointed with his comeback run in the Churchill Stakes last month. In a steadily run race he didn’t display that electric turn of foot I associate with his best form. Marco Botti’s said he was probably rusty but his closing sectional was 0.49s slower than that of the winner. He needs to improve.
The same cannot be said for Battalion who is at the top of his game right now. Last time out he slammed his rivals to win a conditions event by four lengths. In another slowly run race, he covered the final 2f in 22.0s, which was 0.3s faster than Grendisar managed.
Battalion’s course and distance record is now 165161 but that improves to 11 in fields of 8 runners of less. A small field lines up for the Quebec Stakes and in a potentially tactical affair, his speed could win the race.
*returned SP of 9/2
Odds correct at time of publishing: 04:48 17th Dec, 2016 but subject to change
