David Ferraris-trained Rock The Tree has yet to win here, but has his hoof right on the till after two excellent runs since returning this season.

In fact, the Oratorio gelding had been finding some form at the end of last term, placing on the turf over 2,200m then racing without luck on turf and then the all-weather before the break.

First-up last week, he got home well behind Verdane on the all-weather over 1,650m and put in an even better run on Wednesday night behind Hurry Hurry Up for fourth.

Steadied back in the early stages from his wide draw, Rock The Tree was forced to make a long run around the field on the final turn, but still loomed as a chance before peaking in the final 50m.

Rock The Tree had nothing in his favour regarding the tempo when the winner was able to dictate a moderate pace in the lead then sprint home hard.

He has now had three tries on the dirt for three excellent performances, despite being unplaced each time, and has shown he can race well on turf as well, so Ferraris should be able to find the right race shortly.

And, while the popular wisdom is often to abandon a horse like Grand Plus once he has broken an unlucky run and tasted victory, the John Size-trained four-year-old should prove an exception.

Before his breakthrough victory by a big margin on Wednesday, Grand Plus had run six first four placings from 10 starts, was often well in the betting, and was wearing his followers down.

A win with the fitness edge of a quick backup and the resultant 10-point handicap rise might put players off him next time, but one change to Grand Plus as a four-year-old suggests he can keep going on with it.

At three, Grand Plus constantly made mistakes in races including overracing, which may have been one reason Size switched him to the dirt where the tempo is more reliable. Despite being pushed hard early in both races this season, Grand Plus' manners have been excellent and, as a more complete package now, he could prove better than most expected.

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