Exceed and Excel’s James Garfield Takes the Greenham

[Wandering Eyes]

   Like the Fred Darling earlier on Saturday’s Newbury card, the G3 Al Basti Equiworld Supporting Greatwood Greenham S. featured a four-horse finish which was only decided in the final half furlong and it was the Gredley family’s James Garfield (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) who prevailed. Successful over six furlongs here in the G2 Mill Reef S. in September, he was possibly past his best when 10th in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf in November and was fresh and keen early in the hands of Frankie Dettori racing behind the clear leader Hey Gaman (GB) (New Approach {Ire}). As that rival veered right in the closing stages, the 3-1 second favourite got to him with over 100 yards remaining and stayed on strongest as the 7-4 favourite Expert Eye (GB) (Acclamation {GB}) earned second 3/4 of a length away, with Hey Gaman a short head back in third. “That was a great performance and he’s a very exciting colt,” Tim Gredley said. “He never got much of a run in the Breeders’ Cup, but had a great winter. I’ll have a chat with the trainer, but it will either be Royal Ascot and back to six furlongs or the [2000] Guineas. Knowing dad [Bill Gredley], it’ll probably be the Guineas.”

JAMES GARFIELD (IRE), 126, c, 3, by Exceed and Excel (Aus)
1st Dam: Whazzat (GB) (SW-Eng), by Daylami (Ire)
2nd Dam: Wosaita (GB), by Generous (Ire)
3rd Dam: Eljazzi, by Artaius
(£60,000 RNA Ylg ’16 GOUKPR). O-W J & T C O Gredley; B-Stetchworth & Middle Park Studs Ltd (IRE); T-George Scott; J-Lanfranco Dettori. £34,026. Lifetime Record: 8-3-1-2, £119,241. *1/2 to The Shrew (GB) (Dansili {GB}), MSP-Eng.

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