Sat 7 March Imperial Cup

[Old Vic]

Imperial Cup Trends

http://www.fatjockey.com/news-blogs/racing_news.php?Imperial-Cup-Trends-2015-370

[mayo]

AP doing 10-5. That's a tip.

[Old Vic]

West Wizard anyone

I have.

and Timeform

Perhaps surprisingly, Nicky Henderson doesn’t have much of a record in this race, though a look at his history at the Festival may give us a clue as to why. This is surely no afterthought for West Wizard, though, who is entered in two races at Sandown on Saturday (the other being the EBF Final) and none at Cheltenham. Marry his SPs up with his finishing positions from his three hurdling starts and you might see a potential shirker. You might be right, but dig a little deeper into his form and you will see grounds for clemency.

West Wizard has finished second to Sgt Reckless (now Timeform-rated 143 over hurdles), Arzal (136p) and Minella Rocco (a monstrous 147P) in turn on his three starts. There’s no disgrace in that, not even if you were once favourite for the Supreme as West Wizard was following his ultra-impressive bumper win on debut. Consider that an ex-Supreme favourite, who hasn’t done as much wrong as first glance would suggest, has been let into handicaps from a mark of 132. With a big-field scenario more likely to play to West Wizard’s strengths, now is the time that he could take off.

[Morning Glory]

Geraghty tipped WW at Cafe En Seine.

Like Zip Top too.

Pipes horse ?

[Rhinestone Cowboy]

Let it go ....

[Old Vic]

Ruby

I am taking tomorrow off but will be in Sandown today. The Imperial Cup is a £70,000 handicap hurdle and Wicklow Brave (3.10) got no run in Newbury. He missed the start and every horse that fell in the race seemed to fall in front of me. So I’m willing to give him another go.

The Pipes have an unbelievable record in this race and while it is hugely competitive, you’d be keeping a close eye on their two. With luck in running, we shouldn’t be far away.

I ride Babylone Des Motte (3.45) for the Riccis in the Listed mares’ bumper. She won an AQPS flat race in France. It is deemed a national hunt race in the UK and a flat race in Ireland so she can’t run in a bumper here.

We obviously want to maintain her novice status over hurdles at this stage so this is a good opportunity. She is giving the right signals at home. She’s not massive and Whistle Dixie will be hard to beat but we’re happy with her.

[Liam301287]

2:00 Sandown.

Two I backed here are Skylander and Mount Haven both wearing blinkers first time today.

[MrMcGoldrick]

Chieftains Choice is 66/1 to win this then the county hurdle, not a bad punt that, also Bidourey is 28/1 to win this and the Fred Winter, given the Pipes record of achieving the double I've had a couple of quid on that too..
For the race today I'm thinking of Dutching 4,
Some Buckle
Chieftains choice
Arzal
Wicklow Brave, all good prices, not a good punting race for me but it's nice to have an interest. The Nicholls horse, Calipto, looks interesting but the last 10 winners of this have all carried under 11st

[mayo]

Zip Top
Arzal
and a saver on WW
should probably leave it at that but will have allok at CC now too.:o

[mayo]

Nicholls has got some good hay this year.

[mayo]

Bad punting day here

Hope Cooper is OK

[MrMcGoldrick]

Bad punting day here

Hope Cooper is OK

Here too, not sure about hoping Cooper is OK, Whistle Dixie was the second leg of a double for me till the bugger fell off, first had already won. Only joking of course, hope he's ok, we wouldn't have a sport without those lads would we.

[Old Vic]

Here too, not sure about hoping Cooper is OK, Whistle Dixie was the second leg of a double for me till the bugger fell off, first had already won. Only joking of course, hope he's ok, we wouldn't have a sport without those lads would we.

True.

An occasional vent is permitted though.

Imperial Cup a warning for next week ?

[MrMcGoldrick]

True.

An occasional vent is permitted though.

Imperial Cup a warning for next week ?

It is a warning, expect the unexpected, I couldn't have picked the winner out if I had 10 goes, was there to see though to be fair, hampered and fourth at Ascot, in front of 2 of my picks, can't see for looking sometimes.

[mayo]

The mare continues.