Grandera clips Wing in champion show

Godolphin's Grandera won a thrilling renewal of the Ireland The Food Island Champion Stakes at Leopardstown today.

Godolphin's Grandera won a thrilling renewal of the Ireland The Food Island Champion Stakes at Leopardstown today.

Sholokov set a furious pace in the 10-furlong Group One contest and with half a mile to go was fully 12 lengths clear of Best Of The Bests and the front-runner's stable companion Hawk Wing, the 8-11 favourite.

Best Of The Bests took over a furlong out but was immediately pressed by Hawk Wing and Aidan O'Brien's star looked set for victory.

But Frankie Dettori had other ideas as he unleashed Grandera (5-2) with a powerful late thrust which proved good enough as he landed the 625,200 euro first prize by a short head.

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In last year's race, Godolphin's Fantastic Light just got the better of O'Brien's Galileo in a close finish.