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Almost there... but one to warm up

I had taken a short break and intended on waiting for next week but the late change in weather conditions has tempted me to have a small interest in the Imperial Cup at Sandown today at 2.25. In an otherwise unappealing card from my point of view, the heavy conditions should really suit Mack The Man, while the same might not be said for some of his rivals here. He has encountered heavy going twice to date and I don't believe it to be any coincidence that they are his best lines of form, with victory achieved on both occasions. To add even more confidence, the first of those was over this course and distance and it could hardly have worked out better. That win in December 2019 was off a 6lb lower mark but the fact that he beat Protektorat and Song For Someone tells us that he should be full value for a 6lb rise. Protektorat finished the campaign with a respectable run in the Coral Cup off a 16lb higher mark while Song For Someone is now rated 11lb higher. The selection also won on heavy ground at Wincanton in January and I think you can easily put a line through his below par effort in the Betfair Hurdle last time as the ground would have been much too quick for him. His revised mark is just 1lb higher than his Wincanton win and the race should be run to suit. Given his optimum conditions, I think he will go very close if on a going day and the price compensates for his occasional blip. Natural History has not gone unpenalised for his romp last time but he could still be ahead of the handicapper while Langer Dan is potentially well handicapped too. However, at the prices, I am willing to take a chance on Mack The Man. 


0.5pt win Mack The Man (9/1 General) Sandown 2.25 *use BOG firms

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