Ebony Express can reign again in Imperial Cup showdown

David Metcalf | March 11, 2016

Ebony Express looks decent value to take advantage of a drop in the weights to land back-to-back successes in the Imperial Cup at Sandown (15.10).

This 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 tremendous attitude to land this contest 12 months ago off a mark of 131.

After being driven to take up the running approaching the last, Ebony Express gamely dug deep to come out on top in a battle royale with Rayvin Black and score by 3/4 of a length.

Ebony Express should steam to second Imperial Cup success

The seven-year-old now meets that rival on 19lb better terms, and the form of the race has a very strong look to it.

Camping Ground, who finished fourth, has gone to to land a Grade 2 contest and is a lively outsider for the Champion Hurdle and the fifth home, Thistlecrack, has developed into a top class Grade 1 performer who 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.

The son of Superior Premium is now able to race off a reduced rating of 130, 1lb lower than when winning last year, and that gives him major claims from a handicapping perspective.