IMPERIAL CUP - BALTIMORE ROCK?

ok no Baltimore Rock... but I am keeping my faith with Pipe and going with BIDOURNEY 6/1

a bit short ... but on lower end of the handicap only a 4 year old - well you would expect considerable improvement - trainer thinks there is 10lb improvement in him... and I think you have to take his word for it as they have had similar runners in the past...  Like GASPARA

I think there are so many question marks around the other runners, for example CALIPTO, I think you can forgive his last run... think he left it too late and jockey like the others totally misjudged the race... think he will certainly improve if closer to the pace this time - but noticed some firms went 7s to 8s... PP are 9s... so wonder if he is turning up? Then there is FAUSTINO RUSTICO - Fell, ARZAL - Fell, CHIEFTANS CHOICE - Fell etc but do have good form in there last runs

So my view is without the favourite you can draw a shortlist of 7 or 8 horses can win (I wont back six or seven!) so its either you are with the favourite or not ... and this horse probably has the most question marks in terms of potential that I will think I will side with him... yes id rather back one.

For me potential has to be proven but the horse has done nothing wrong in terms of his ability 100% record so far...won at the course and distance.

Like the look of Royal Guardsman myself.Though he ran a blinder at Newbury last week. Hope this hasn't come to soon

I think BlackMail is the interested one.   I have always thought this horse has real ability, 16/1 looks more than fair and has subsequent Chelt entry

Time for West Wizard to show the racing public what he was showing at home? For an horse who was supposed to be Henderson's most exciting novice 18 months ago to be running off 132 on hopefully drying ground, this must go close surely?

BJG tipped up West Wizard at a preview night this evening, get the 12's while you can!

Well Korals were 7s... Hillies and BF 12s

So in terms of value yes something there - but has been beaten by Arzal by 7 lengths... not much difference with weight/jockey allowance factor... always run at Kempton 4  (ok flat course will suit the horse (Sandown) and is very lightly raced)

but you are taking a leap of faith as I think the value is the price not the form.

I'll stick with Chieftains Choice, broke my heart when falling in Betfair Hurdle. Nothing worse than losing before the race starts in earnest. Nice sort, improving, could be well handicapped and Sandown could suit him.

West Wizard for me too. On at 12s so hopefully top up the wedge for next week

West Wizard will be bang there with 2 to run, still not having him though.

the 3 for me are Calipto (win). Royal Guardsman & Ebony Express ew.


good luck all.

Arzal and chieftains choice to uphold the newbury form.

of the outsiders GASSIN GOLF 33/1 good each way shout...2nd last year ...good mark too... Might get 5 places

I'll throw in Some Buckle.  Some decent novice form and doesn't look badly treated to me. 14/1 very fair.

Arzal ew for me too...

tempted by Ebony Express but instead will have a little on Zaidiyn at 33/1 ew, weights give him a chance of reversing previous form with Ebony Express and he has been interestingly campaigned to say the least...

Had a wee pop on Meadowcroft Boy, 50/1 underestimates him. Last run was decent on unfavourable terms, drop back on trip up with the fast pace will hopefully suit. Long way to come!

bidourney with ebony express e/w

Fascino Rustico 16's, and Midnight Game 40's for me. If it was a bit softer, I'd take a wee bit of the 66's on First Avenue, I'll see how the ground looks after the first few races.

Like Arzal but not sure about the Jock Paul O'Brien could be a good jockey but never
heard of him

Will have a little each way on Thistlecrack.

Well done those who got that

Well done Brendrew and Ibrahima. Unlucky Reaseheath.

rease

Tough picking well done to all who were on

Well done Brendrew, and bet or not, great shout as well Rease.

wd

Well done...tough race... These handicaps have been so competitive this season!

Well done...tough race... These handicaps have been so competitive this season!

Mar 7, 2015 -- 3:28PM, Ibrahima Sonko wrote:

rease

Well done IS (and brendew)

Decent analysis but poor judgement by me, move on to Tuesday...

Don't know why ebony express drifted in price-was the ground that bad?-like a shrewdie i took 20/1!

Luckily had best odds guaranteed.

I read the trainer comments for the race in racing post - and he said this race had been his main aim...

I still ignored it ...

But actually there was no luck in his win... the horse was primed based on his run...  and I actually think connection had there heart set on the bonus before the race...

If he was pipe or Nicholls would be challenging favouritism -

I reckon County Hurdle @20/1 is not a bad bet at all - you know you will get a run for your money - I think needs about 5 to come out... and that is realistic...

As a side note, Bidourney, Calipto, West Wind, Arzal, Faustino Rustico, Wicklow Brave and Zip Top pulled up... werent they the top 5 or 6 in the market? Funny that!

looks like he'll get his ground more to his liking-just looked like he had  a very hard race on saturday-a slo mo finish.