tracked leaders, ridden and one pace after 3 out, beaten before next
held up in rear, slightly hampered on bend after 2nd, no danger and struggling from 3 out
tracked leaders, hit 3 out, led narrowly going well 2 out, mistake last, soon headed, one pace flat
always in rear
chased leaders until weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, effort after 3 out, ridden and one pace from next
always behind
held up in mid-division, mistake and weakened 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
always rear, tailed off 3 out
behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
behind, slightly hampered bend after 2nd, no danger after
held up well in rear, mistake 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, never able to challenge
pulled hard, chasing leaders when pulled up before 3rd, saddle slipped
held up towards rear, slightly hampered bend after 2nd, headway under pressure approaching 2 out, soon one pace
chased leaders, mistake 3 out, driven and weakened before next
held up towards rear, headway under pressure approaching 2 out, one pace in 3rd when mistake last
in touch, hit 4th, mistake 3 out, weakaned before next
led, mistake 3 out, ridden and weakening and headed when blundered 2 out, soon behind
always rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
always towards rear, ridden and struggling from 5th
mistake 1st, always rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
soon tracked leader, challenged from 2 out, led soon after last, stayed on well flat
An absolute cracker for the Imperial Cup and, as you would expect, it is very competitive but we'll take a chance on Never returning to form, although Scorned, Hot Shots, Desert Air and Gin Palace could well go well in this hot affair. The selection will be having his first run for Jonjo O'Neill today, having formerly been trained by Francois Doumen. He looked impressive when winning a Newbury handicap in November 2002 from a mark of 130 and, now back to a rating of 135, might be set to come good again. Looking at some of the others. The likeable Grand Finale looked progressive when scoring here last time, although this race, of course, is far more progressive. It would be no surprise to see Scorned, second to the useful novice Albuhera at Newbury last time, run well off a low weight. Similarly, Martin Pipe's lightly-raced Ilabon cannot be totally ignored, while Kadount and Breknen le Noir are fairly closely weighted based on Haydock form earlier in the season. Hot Shots won in very easy fashion at Wincanton during the week and looks set to go well again from the same mark. Shalako ran well for a long way in a Cheltenham Handicap over a longer trip on New Year's Day and first-time blinkers could yet show him in a better light. If Tony McCoy elects to ride Desert Air then this decent juvenile from last year has also to be afforded respect. Dancing Bay is now rated eight-pounds higher than for his Hexham win, which will not make life easy but Gin Palace, a good winner at Kempton last time, is from a stable that can do well in these big handicaps and, although now rated nine-pounds higher - less his rider's three-pound claim - than for that Sunbury success, he too can go well. Mary Reveley's Overstrand has had a good season and is still capable of going well from his revised mark. The novice Bold Bishop has done well this season but is there to be shot at from a mark of 135. That said, he'll attract supporters and, with Barry Geraghty booked, could yet go well. Sud Bleu represents Paul Nicholls but he rarely wins and is also possibly a little high in the ratings. Like a number of these, he finished in the ruck recently in Newbury's Tote Gold Trophy. Man O' Mystery actually ran well very well in that contest, but he's a little too enigmatic to be trusted with the hard-earned. Saintsaire is well-regarded by his astute handler but it would be an excellent performance for him to win this off top weight. As we say, it's a smashing race and our vote goes to Never.
