Imperator Augustus is back down below his last winning mark and makes plenty of appeal at 14/1 in to 2.00 at Doncaster now upped back in trip.
Patrick Holmes’ gelding last win came at Musselburgh back in September 2011 over 7f on fast ground where he travelled smoothly throughout and quickened clear to win by 5 lengths from Boy The Bell off a mark of 74.
The handicapper whacked him up 10lb for that runaway success to a mark of 84 and he not surprisingly failed to trouble the judged in his next four starts.
However his mark fell as a result and he subsequently put in some solid efforts last season without getting his head in front.
He finished third twice off marks of 75 and 74, both over 7f, and the former came in a class 4 contest at Beverley.
The five year-old now gets into this class 5 affair of a rating of 70, and although he has not been at his best in two starts this season there are reasons to expect much better today.
Both his runs this campaign have come in class 4 contests over 6f, and he shaped really well on the first of those when fifth of 12 to Meandmyshadow at Thirsk on his first run for 200 days.
He then didn’t shape too badly when sixth of 9 to Pea Shooter at haydock last week where he showed plenty of pace to track the leaders until weakening a furlong from home.
Those two runs should have blown away the cobwebs and put him spot on, and it’s interesting that connections are now upping him back up to 7f in a lower grade race.
Both his career successes have come over the trip, and it looks as if they have been sharpening him up to exploit his falling mark.
If that’s the case it would be no suprise to see him run a huge race now that he has his optimum conditions, and at the odds on offer he looks overpriced and represents cracking each-way value in my eyes.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 3pts each-way Impertaor Augustus (14/1 generally available – use BOG firms)
