Ebony Express is back down below his last winning mark and makes plenty of appeal at 14/1 in the Imperial Cup at Sandown today (3.10) now fittede with the cheekpices and tongue-tie for the first time.
Dr Richard Newland trained gelding enjoyed a terrific first season over hurdles when winning three times, and in the last of those successes showed a terrific attitude to land this contest 12 months ago off a mark of 131.
After beindg driven to take up the running approacging the last, Ebony Express gamely dug deep to beat Rayvin Black and score by 3/4 of a length, and now meets that rival on 19lb better terms.
The form of the race also looks strong as the foruth home Camping Ground has gone to to land a Grade 2 contest and and the fifth home Thistlecrack has developed into a top class Grade 1 performer and is a red-hot favourite for the World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival next week.
Although Ebony Express comes into this year’s renewal having failed to sparkle in four starts, that has resulted in a drop in the weights an d he is now able to race off 130 – 1lb lower than when winning last year.
Connections are also now fitting Ebony Express with cheekpieces and a tongue-tie for the first time, and if they have the desired effect he looks weighted to run a huge race.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 2pts each-way Ebony Express (14/1 bet365, BetVictoir, Coral, Paddy Power, William Hill – BOG)
