Imperial Guest

Imperial Guest produced a really good run, given the way the race panned out, in the seven-furlong heritage handicap at Ascot on Saturday. He was one of just five horses who raced out in the centre of the track and he travelled really well to the two-furlong pole. He had to do a lot of running on his own out there from that point, however, as he pulled away from his group, and he could never quite get on terms with the stands side group. He finished seventh overall, but was beaten only just over three lengths by Castles In The Air in the end.

The George Margarson-trained gelding may have been racing on the slowest part of the track and, even if he wasn't, he was racing on his own whereas all of those who raced on the near side had horses against which to race. It was a really competitive race, there was a solid pace and they clocked a fairly fast time. He seems to go well at Ascot, he was only just beaten by Treadwell in the Buckingham Palace at the Royal meeting this year, and he can be marked up a fair bit on this effort. He has been running well over seven furlongs but he could benefit now by dropping back to six, his four career wins have come over that distance.

24th July 2010

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