I love the Imperial Cup even though I rarely find the winner. Its the perfect appetiser to the main course that follows next week.
I know a lot of you dont like stats but there are one or two interesting ones here;
Age, 4 = 2wins, 5=14 wins, 6=7 wins, 7=4wins, 8=2wins,9=1win.
Weight, under 10-7 = 19wins, 10-8 - 11st = 6 wins, 11-0 - 11-7 = 4wins, 11-7 + = 1 win
In the last ten years 7 of the winners had run in the last 30 days.
So the perfect profile is for a 5yo who is match fit carrying under 10st 7lb.
Silver Streak
Castafiore
Friday Night Light
The first named is my preference as he is a very progressive horse. He unseated early last time out in the Betfair but previously ran really well at Ascot. Tom O'Brien takes the reins back from the claimer and he has no engagements next week so this was obviously the plan.
I know a lot of people will like the favourite and he has won for me the last twice but I just want to pick a few holes in the form.
He was second to Ainchea at Sandown. I love Ainchea but no horse other than this one has come from that race and won.
He beat OK Corrall (stablemate) at Newbury. We all know OK Corrall wasnt match fit and won next time but nothing else in the race has franked the form.
He beat Rockpoint at Newbury, The main opposition, Air Navigator, tripped up at the first and Rockpoit whipped round at the start. Two horses have come out of that race and won. One in an AW jumpers bumper and the other a Plumpton maiden hurdle. Rockpoint himself was royally put to the sword by Global Citizen.
He wouldnt be the first horse to make me look a mug but it doesnt read like Imperial Cup form to me.
SILVER STREAK 14-1