The annual festival plot race for trainers looking to scoop a monster bonus for winning this and then following up at Cheltenham the following week. The one I like is AFFAIRE D'HONEUR 8/1 who has the right profile for the race and hails from an in form yard. They didn't have the best of luck with him in a similarly hot handicap last time but they may be rubbing their hands after all as he wouldn't still be in the low 130's had he won there. Whittington had a bit of a wry smile on ATR today when asked about his Cheltenham entries but douldnt help letting it slip that this fella could get in the County Hurdle if he were to win the Imperial Cup. The price wont last and I reckon we are looking at a 4/1 shot come the morning of the race!
Trust me Nass. The plan is to win this and if he comes out of the race ok to go for the follow up under a penalty!
He was all the rage for the Betfair and carried my money, only to disappoint. I won't be touching him this time so he will no doubt bolt up. Good luck
No sponsor yet for the Imperial Cup and even if they do find one before Saturday there is no guarantee of the bonus.
Spot on. Stayed on well into a place from an impossible position. If I remember correctly they were trying to get him off prominently the first time so being left 10 lengths at the restart was hardly the plan. Worthy favourite and I'm on. Harry Whittington is having a tremendous season with his small string.
Top weight Rayvin Black, your fancy Solstice Star gets 15lbs off him so likely 10st 11lb with Affaire D'honeur one pound less than that. If Rayvin Black did not run the weights will go up by 4lbs with Some Plan carrying top weight.
I see the logic behind Affaire D'Honeur and he's a worthy favourite but this race has thrown up some big price winners in recent years and the 2 that interest me are KNOCKGRAFFON (25/1) and CLAYTON (18/1). Both from shrewd stables who know how to 'plot' one for a handicap!
Thought it worth pointing out that in May 2014 Konig Dax beat Douvan 5L in a 2 mile hurdle race in France off level weights Douvan hasn't been beat since
Copper Kay v Augusta Kate v Tearsofclewbay v The Nipper I would be very much tempted by Tearsofclewbay here ........................... very stylish mare
mouth watering odddy, cant remember saying that about a mares bumper before. heard Mullins says that his mare goes to Cheltenham as its more appealing than taking on COPPER KAY
Copper Kay is the one to beat and Paddy Power have her 7/4 fav, AK and The Nipper 3s and Tearsofclewbay a whopping7s Really not much between her and the favourite on a line through Theatre Territoy. Tearsofclewbay worth a dabble I reckon, Conor Smith down to ride again claiming 7 and she gets 4lbs from Copper Kay.
Clondaw Cian should enhance the Copper Kay form once again in the Fontwell opener even with the allowances he gives. AK won't be running though, should be a very good race if the others all turn up, all potential top nothcers for ze future.
