WHO’S SET TO CLAIM CROWN IN IMPERIAL CUP?

14:25 Sandown

Mick Maestro has been improving with every run and the predicted pace of the race suggests that it may just suit his style of running. I would expect him to sit just behind the leaders and try to pick them off in what I would presume to be a sub- 3.59 pace. Moreover, his 3 lbs claimer, in Charlie Todd, has beenexcellent this season and he could run a nice race. If there’s any questions marks, it’s probably that he hasn’t taken on horses of this calibre before.

Malaya won this race in 2019 and is back down to her winning weight. When she won the race in 2019, she came from well off the pace and It would be interesting to see whether she is raced with the same tactics, if so, she may pose quite a threat as she is a previous course and distance winner and she is currently 2 lbs lower than her last handicap winning mark, on official ratings.

History tells us that the Imperial Cup seems to be a favourite hunting ground for 6 year olds, and for Nigel Twiston-Davies, having won it twice in the last 4 renewals. With that in mind,his representative in this year’s race, One True King, looks to have a decent chance. He’llpush the pace and hopefully obtain an easy lead, thus proving difficult to peg back. He hasa nice weight, fits the trends and should benefit from the going and hopefully should run well.

ONE TRUE KING (E/W)

MALAYA (E/W)

written by Kieran McHugh

(Additional selection by Rory Paddock)