CONFIDENCE was growing yesterday about the chances of Imperial Call completing back-to-back victories in the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup. The difficult feat has not been achieved since L'Escargot pulled it off in 1970-71.
Connections declared themselves delighted after Imperial Call tuned up at Tralee racecourse yesterday. The eight-year-old, ridden by his big-race jockey Conor O'Dwyer, worked about two miles at half speed.
Sutherland's wife Ann said: "He went very well and both trainer and jockey are delighted. We think we've got him right now and are quietly confident that he can do it again.
"We would prefer soft ground on the day but are unlikely to get it and it wouldn't be a problem if it was similar ground to last year."
O'Dwyer said: The ground was desperate but I was very happy with him today. He looked and felt a different horse from Clonmel last week. I'm really looking forward to next week now."
It was a good day for O'Dwyer who also worked the Sutherland-trained Tempo. The horse is earmarked for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.
O'Dwyer has plenty to look forward to at Cheltenham as he has also been booked for the Dermot Weld-trained pair Stylish Allure (Triumph Hurdle) and Musical Mayhem (Weatherbys Champion Festival Bumper).
Bookmakers William Hill were suitably impressed, cutting Imperial Call to 9 to 2, making him their clear favourite. He is the same price with the sponsors. Ladbrokes, however, leave Imperial Call unchanged at 5 to 1 and have him sharing favouritism with Coome Hill and Dorans Pride.
Dorans Pride was also due to work at Tralee but, after arriving at the track, his trainer Michael Hourigan scrapped plans when he saw the state of the ground.
Ladbrokes also reported continued support for Cyborgo, the mount of Charlie Swan, and have cut him to 16 to 1 (from 20s).
Couldnt Be Better's participation in the Gold Cup depends on the results of a scan expected to be known today. His stablemate Suny Bay is also by no means a guaranteed runner with trainer Charlie Brooks warning that he needs soft ground.
. Tony McCoy suffered a pre-Cheltenham scare when making his first-ever visit to Kelso yesterday. Riding Court Melody, Paul Nicholls's first runner at the course, he was vying for the lead when unseated from the nine-year-old at the second-last fence of the Ettrick Handicap Chase won by Call The Shots.
However, McCoy was quickly back on his feet and suffered no injuries, reporting on his return to the weighing room: "My horse didn't like the ground. It was a bit too quick for him and I don't think he would have won if we had completed."
. Darryll Holland showed just why he is a most sought-after jockey when booting home a Lingfield double on Gay Kelleways Eager To Please and Mark Johnston a Live Project But Holland had a less happy ride on the much fancied Raw in the later Wordsworth Limited Stakes. Never travelling freely. the gelding was allowed to coast home by Holland over six lengths behind surprise 16 to 1 winner Ki Chi Saga
