Imposing

Imposing stayed on really well to win what was probably a hot 10-and-a-half-furlong handicap at York on Wednesday. Held up well out the back off a strong pace that was set by Indian Days, he came under pressure early, he looked in trouble with Ryan Moore pushing along from the top of the home straight, but there was a lot to like about the way that he picked up wide on the outside of the entire field. The strong pace suited and he seemed to need every yard of this trip to catch the gallant Indian Days. This was a strong race and the time was really good, a second faster than standard and by far the fastest race on the day.

Imposing had been off the track through injury since he was beaten a short head by Perpetually in a handicap at the Craven meeting last year, and it was significant that Michael Stoute and his connections persevered with him. The handicapper has given him 9lb for this, but a rating of 100 could still significantly under-estimate his ability. By Danehill Dancer out of a Sadler's Wells 12-furlong mare, his breeding and his running style suggest that he will be even better when stepped up to a mile and a half, and there could be a big handicap in him now off his current mark.

12th May 2010

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