I could make a long list of horses who may be inconvenienced by the weather, there are others who I feel may be "over the top" now for the season and who may have left their best form at Cheltenham in races that were their ultimate season targets. So I'll focus on a shortlist of around 6 who I think have the best chance of winning or placing for some enhanced profit.

 

I think the banker each way bet in this race has to be CAPTAIN CORBY, I can't find any reason not to back it and with no real ground or trip concerns and a degree of freshness, it's hard not to like. PLAYFUL SPIRIT from the Skelton yard has had a very quiet season and looked in need of the run in the Imperial Cup. The step back up in trip is completely logical, rain would be a plus for this one and you have to believe that this race is a target and whilst it may not have been the initial target, once they ran in the Imperial Cup they will have laid him out specifically for this and conditions are coming right for them. 

 

MARTELLO SKY has been highly tried and steps down in Class into a Handicap off what could be a very nice mark. It's significant I think that they have booked Rachel Blackmore, who would have had a choice of freelance rides in this and if the form of this season and last translates into a handicap, a markof 137 looks pretty generous. NO ORDINARY JOE ran very well in the Martin Pipe, a meeting at which Hendersons handicappers showed really good solid form and of all those coming from that race and other Cheltenham handicaps he looked the best and safest option to me. GOOD RISK AT ALL caught my eye for a smaller bet, he's lightly raced, should have the scope to improve off this mark and has snuck in here a little bit really for a Yard who can ready one. If there is another dark horse it would be McCains Jungle Jack, never discount the Yard hare at Aintree and although up another 5lbs and mighty progressive I don't think they'll know yet where the ceiling is for this one and it'll be interesting to see how it fares upped in Class. Of the rags West To The Bridge is the type who can always pop up! and Fennors Cross is the darkest of the Irish dark horses.