Jeremy Noseda admits Grandeur's wide draw in stall 14 is far from ideal in the Group Three Winter Derby at Lingfield.
However, the Newmarket handler believes jockey Ryan Moore is the right man on board to follow up the partnership's success in the Winter Derby Trial over course and distance four weeks ago. Grandeur brings some top-class international form to the table, having performed with great credit in the Arlington Million and the Hong Kong Cup.
The trainer told his website, www.jeremynoseda.com: "The draw is not one that you want with the short run into the first bend. But, having said that, the horse is in great nick and definitely will have improved for that first run. In Ryan Moore, we've also got the right jockey to get him in position to counteract any problems that the draw might make."
Noseda feels that the tight nature of Lingfield's track perfectly suits Grandeur's running style.
"It's a surface we think is 100 per cent right. Most horses go on it and show their form on it, and what I think is ideal for him is that he loves running on tight, turning tracks," he said.
"It seems to suit him and keeps him interested and he enjoys doing it. If you look at his win profile, he has performed well at Epsom and run well at Goodwood and run well in America on tight, left-handed courses.
"This winter campaign was built around the Winter Derby. The new race at Lingfield on Good Friday, the mile-and-a-quarter one worth £200,000, will hopefully be his next target. Following that we will take a view. It will either be Singapore for their Invitational or we'll head to America and have a few runs there."
Grandeur is wearing cheekpieces after Moore felt he pulled up in front slightly when winning last time out.
"We just felt he could have done a bit more when he got there the last day. He's probably the best horse in the race. I just hope we get a bit of luck on Saturday," said Moore.
Godolphin are usually preoccupied with the Dubai Carnival at this time of year so the fact they have sent Windhoek back to Britain early may be significant.
Trainer Saeed bin Suroor told www.godolphin.com: "Windhoek's final pieces of work in Dubai went nicely and he has done very well over the winter. He has improved a great deal since he came out to Dubai and he looks a better horse as a four-year-old.
"This is the right distance for him and he handled an artificial surface out in Dubai. I hope he can run very well at Lingfield Park."
