Listed Grand Cup Stakes Guide 2022

Andy Smith | @AndySmithRacing

York - June 10 2022
York 14:05
2(1)
Paul Mulrennan

Euchen Glen

J: Paul Mulrennan
T: Jim Goldie
N/A
Age: 9
Weight: 9-2
OR: 109
Days: 16

After 46 career runs, Euchen Glen has been an ever consistent sort for Jim Goldie and has been successful in multiple handicaps, listed events and group 3 races.

Last season saw him in fine form over 10 furlongs, scooping a group 3 race and a listed race at Sandown. His form tailed off for the rest of the season but he shaped well in defeat multiple times. He didn’t quite handle stepping up in trip for the Ebor however.

Two runs this season have seen him well beaten. Coming 6th of 7 in a conditions race at Doncaster, he was then unable to get involved in the Henry II stakes.

He seriously needs to bounce back to form to have a chance.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
28/10/23DON10Hy9-94
07/10/23ASC12Gd9-64
21/09/23AYR10GS10-02
09/09/23HAY14Gd9-412
26/08/23YOR14GF8-134
York - June 10 2022
York 14:05
3(4)
Ryan Moore

John Leeper

J: Ryan Moore
T: Ed Dunlop
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 9-2
OR: 105
Days: 16

A lightly raced 4 year old, John Leeper only turned out once as a 2 year old in an average enough effort. However he took a major step forward as a 3 year old to score a novice race easily and a listed event at Newmarket.

Well beaten in the Derby he was also brushed aside easily by Euchen Glen at Sandown. The rest of last season failed to yield a win in listed level over 10 to 12 furlongs.

This season has been much the same. A decent outing at Chester over 13.5 furlongs saw him a little outpaced and squeezed for room. Last seen not getting the trip in the Henry II Stakes, dropping in trip will help but he’s well out of form.

York - June 10 2022
York 14:05
1(6)
Andrea Atzeni

Without A Fight

J: Andrea Atzeni
T: Simon & Ed Crisford
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 9-5
OR: 110
Days: 28

Simon and Ed Crisford’s 5 year old gelding had an impressive debut campaign but struggled when entered into deeper contests.

Tested at group 3 level and listed level last season saw him run well enough over 12 furlongs without looking threatening. Dropped back into handicap company he scored off a big weight. He followed that run up with a great listed win at Newmarket over 12 furlongs.

He returned in fine form this season over in Meydan, coming a close 2nd to Hukum who’s since franked the form, before being well outclassed in the Sheema Classic.

Last month saw him return to racing in England but he looked outclassed and outpaced over 12 furlongs at Newbury. This step up in trip needs to unlock some improvement.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
07/11/23FLE16Gd8-131
21/10/23CAU12Gd8-101
23/09/23CAU9Gd9-46
10/06/23EAG11Gd9-41
27/05/23EAG9Gd9-21
York - June 10 2022
York 14:05
6(3)
Ben Robinson

Onesmoothoperator

J: Ben Robinson
T: Brian Ellison
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 9-2
OR: 95
Days: 57

Initially trained by David Simcock, this 4 year old gelding scored on debut over 10 furlongs but found winning difficult after.

Finding himself beaten in novice company and handicaps, he ran well enough but kept finding one too good and would have to settle for 2nd. Gelded in November and sent to Brian Ellison for training, he was beaten into 2nd again on his table debut but got off the mark in a low level handicap after.

Kept at middle distance trips, he had to settle for a couple more second places in handicaps before stepping up in trip. Running smartly over 2 miles he was only beaten a head by Nate The Great.

Last seen running well in a 2 mile conditions race at Newcastle, coming back slightly in trip looks a positive. But he has to prove he can act on turf and can handle this step up in grade.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
11/11/23NCS12.5St9-01
17/10/23NCS12.5St9-15
13/09/23STH12St8-117
31/08/23NCS10St9-122
27/07/23YAR14GS9-87
York - June 10 2022
York 14:05
5(5)
Sean Levey

Mandoob

J: Sean Levey
T: Brian Meehan
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 9-2
OR: 107
Days: 35

Trained by Brian Meehan, Mandoob made his debut last season and scored handily in his first two outings. Winning a low level novice event before defying his penalty.

Just unable to live with Yibir over 13 furlongs in a group 3 off the back of that he rounded out the season being beaten over 14 furlongs at listed level at Ascot.

A really pleasing reappearance saw Mandoob run well behind the impressive Al Aasy in the Buckhound Stakes last month. Just looking a little outpaced late on, moving back up in trip looks like it’ll suit and he’ll come on bundles for his first outing for over 200 days.

York - June 10 2022
York 14:05
4(2)
William Buick

Kemari

J: William Buick
T: Charlie Appleby
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 9-2
OR: 109
Days: 134

Starting life last season over 10 furlongs, the trip was too sharp for Kemari but Charlie Appleby moved his charge up in trip and drew out serious improvement.

An easy maiden win was followed up by a great win in the Queen’s Vase at Ascot. Dropping in trip for his next run didn’t pan out, but he put in a stellar performance to be a close 2nd to Manobo in the Prix Chaudenay.

Well beaten in the Prix Royal Oak at the end of the season, he also failed to justify favouritism on his first outing of this season. A listed race over 14 furlongs, he shaped like he needed the run and should come on for it.

He looked a good prospect last season but needs to show he’s trained on after a disappointing reappearance.