3 minute read

Promising three-year-old Imperial March appears well placed to collect back to back victories when set to contest the third event this evening.

Formerly based in Argentina the son of Pollard's Vision had placed in both Group 1 and Group 2 company prior to joining Michael Clements' stable at the back end of last year.

Taking out two trials in the lead up to his Singapore debut, Imperial March looked to have acclimatised well to his new surroundings and proceeded to confirm that notion on raceday.

Stepping out over 1400m, Imperial March eased back towards the rear from the wide draw with the Hideyuki Takaoka trained Masurao ensuring a strong early tempo.

Revved up by Nooresh Juglall passing the 700m, Imperial March appeared to be struggling before pulled to the outside passing the 400m.

Easily the widest runner on straightening, Imperial March took a while to wind up before really hitting his straps over the concluding stages.

Unleashing over the final 200m, he proved too strong holding out the Cliff Brown trained Ares to score narrowly.

Using Timeform ratings Imperial March returned a rating quite short of his best which is a great sign moving forward.

Often with these International gallopers it can take a while before they replicate their best form and in some cases they never reach those heights again.

However in Imperial March's case he looks to be heading in the right direction and should only improve further stepping up in trip.

Somewhat outpaced over 1400m, he should relish the step up to the mile and with further improvement up his sleeve he sets a decent standard for his rivals.

Unseen in close to five weeks, Imperial March was given a soft trial in the lead up, where he worked to the line nicely under little pressure.

From the awkward draw he is likely to settle back in the field before peeling out to make his run in the straight.

The Laurie Laxon trained Alfonso and the John O'Hara trained McGregor appear the likely front-runners with the latter expected to set a decent tempo in front.

Using Timeform weight adjusted ratings, Imperial March appears very well placed and a repeat of his debut winning performance should see him very hard to beat.

Dominant last start winner McGregor shapes as one of the main dangers following his sharp form reversal at this course and distance last start.

Ridden aggressively to take up the running, McGregor simply proved too slick for his rivals when posting a near two length victory.

Successful in breaking his maiden status the son of Magic Albert clearly relished the step up in trip and the penny may have finally dropped now.

While obviously a lot tougher here, he gets in with no weight on his back and has drawn to receive all the favours on the inside.

Using Timeform weight adjusted ratings McGregor's performance sees well placed and if able to get away with a few cheap sectionals, he could prove very hard to run down.

The Mark Walker trained Om hasn't been far off the mark in far tougher company and has to be respected racing back against this company.

While he possesses just the four wins to his name, he is proven to race well at this track (placed 15/28) and the form around the likes of Twickenham and Majestic Moments reads very well.

With the aid of Zuriman's claim he gets in well at the weights and if able to hold his form he is expected to make his presence felt.

Of the rest the Laurie Laxon trained Alfonso should be included as while he too hasn't done a lot of winning he is clearly capable on best form.

Given a slight freshen up following his fifth placing last start, he appears to get the race run to suit and has placed in 6/18 attempts at this track.

His mediocre record over the mile is of some concern, however he is more than capable on his day and has to be included.

Good luck and happy punting.