HAVING won a conditions chase on his seasonal reappearance at Clonmel in November and completed his final Cheltenham preparation over the course, it is fitting that the Gold Cup hero Imperial Call makes a guest parade appearance here today.
Of course the seven year old will not be seen in action until next winter but barring accident what can beat him in next year's Gold Cup or for that matter the following year?
Meanwhile, our other equine hero Danoli is unlikely to bid for his three timer in next week's Martell Aintree Hurdle. He had a hard race at Cheltenham and a final decision will be made on Monday.
If Danoli does not run he will be in action in novice chases next season. It will be a pity if he cannot make it to Liverpool but we have some good horses ready to run there including Champion chaser Klairon Davis and Sound Man who again take on Viking Flagship in the Mumm Melling Chase.
Fergie Sutherland and Conor O'Dwyer can combine to win the Ulster Bank Novice Chase with Imperial Call's half brother Lisselan Prince who bypassed Cheltenham's Sun Alliance Chase.
O'Dwyer who fell in for a fine Grand National mount on Son Of War can also win the Racecourse Supporters Club Maiden Hurdle on Home Port who runs in the colours of Lisselan Farms Ltd, the owners of Imperial Call and Lisselan Prince. Trained by Andrew Lee this four year old was runner up to Lady Arpel at Listowel.
