Workforce in need of run All eyes will be on Workforce as the Derby and Arc hero makes his eagerly-awaited seasonal debut in the Piper Heidsieck Champagne Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown tonight. Despite his obvious claims, the Sir Michael Stoute-trained colt has not been handed a simple task. He has to give all his rivals 7lb and he was beaten at his only previous attempt at a mile and a quarter in the Dante Stakes at York last May. "He's doing fine and he's come on OK, but he's got to give 7lb away, said Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah. "This race was always a possibility to start him off for the season and hopefully we'll get him back on track and make a plan from there. "It's a stiff uphill finish, the ground will be good. He's not run there but he actually worked there before the Arc." Stoute added on Attheraces: "He has done very well physically but he will be in need of the race. "He went to the Breeders' Cup last year and although he didn't run, he had two long journeys so we have not been in a rush with him this year. "His first target had been the Tattersalls Gold Cup last weekend at the Curragh but we have ended up at Sandown - it is not a race that I particularly like as a Group 1 winner has to carry a seven-pound penalty. "He is back two furlongs but we are glad to get him back on track. He could go for the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot but we will see what happens tomorrow night."
