Grimm can write tale of success
A ten-furlong race around Britain’s only figure-of-eight track is a test for any horse and while the emphasis is usually on speed, I feel the course could bring out the best in Tales Of Grimm.
Trained by Michael Stoute, the three-year-old has an unconvincing profile, boasting a victory on his sole outing as a two-year-old but nothing of real note in three starts since.
On his seasonal debut he showed promise when finishing third Cogito and Stipulate in the Listed Heron Stakes over one mile at Sandown.
The race was run at a slow pace and turned into something of a sprint, from which the prominently ridden runners naturally benefited. Tales Of Grimm was ridden with too much patience and even if he wasn’t the best horse on the day, he was not seen to best effect.
That it remains arguably his best run of the season to date is down to the fact that it was run on good-to-firm ground, which is very much to his liking.
He hasn’t enjoyed much luck in that sphere in the meantime, finishing fifth in the ten-furlong Tercenteary Stakes at Royal Ascot, where the rain-softened ground seemed to prevent him from really stretching out.
It was a similar story last time out at Goodwood, where, dropped back to a mile, he made late progress.
Returning to a mile and a quarter this evening, with good-to-firm going to boot, I expect we may see an improved performance from the son of Distorted Humour, whose progeny have preference for the quick going which should prevail.
He has something to find with a number of his rivals but I’m confident he is much better than a bare rating of 99 and he can show it under these conditions and the strong drive of Kieren Fallon.
Rio De La Plata is officially the highest rated runner in the race but he was undeniably disappointing in three runs in Meydan earlier this year and has something to prove on his return from a five-month absence. The Godolphin runner was a very consistent sort in 2011, when he competed at the very top level. His form included a fourth-placed finish behind Frankel in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood and a length and a half defeat by Excelebration in the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp.
All of his form from last year points to him as the one to beat, but he would become infinitely more interesting were he to attract support.
Jeremy Noseda’s Grandeur runs off level weights with Tales Of Grimm despite being rated seven pounds superior. That would suggest that the gelding has a clear edge but it may not prove the case. Yes, he was impressive in victory last time and could just be a progressive sort, but prior to that he was just behind Tales Of Grimm at Royal Ascot. He can be a little keen in his races and the small field may not play to his strengths.
Lay Time is likely to be one of the market leaders but she is yet to win a race this year. She finished less than four lengths behind The Fugue at Goodwood but, in truth, she never looked likely to win that race and her lack of an extra gear may count against her again, despite the drop in class.
Primevere was flattered by her proximity to Izzi Top when able to dictate at a dawdle at Newmarket back in May. She can improve but will need to do so.
Coupe De Ville was a winner at today’s trip on his most recent outing but he was behind Tales Of Grimm at Goodwood and again may not be able to take advantage of an advantage in terms of official figures.
Tales Of Grimm is the lowest rated horse in today’s race and it may take a small leap of faith to support him but this is the first time he has had what I believe will prove his optimum conditions.
Connections have been at pains to find fast ground for him (he was pulled out of the Group 3 Strensall Stakes at York yesterday afternoon) but they also seem quite confident that he can make it at this level.
That may or may not be the case but I suspect today’s race will be defining for his career. Unless the heavens open, there should be no excuse for him not to produce the performance of his life and at likely long odds, he is worth taking a chance on.
