A well laid plan for the Paul Nicholls yard as Iceo wins the Imperial Cup.
Advised on the day and one of our Ten To Follow horses.
Ten To Follow:
Iceo – Paul Nicholls
Made a huge impression on his UK debut at Kempton when bolting up by 17 lengths and immediately getting quotes for the Triumph Hurdle. He was then well beaten behind Pied Piper at Cheltenham, before an improved effort on that in his final run of what was a light campaign back at Kempton. That was perhaps also considered a little disappointing as he never looked like winning and was being scrubbed along quite a way out. Dropping to nearly last as they turned for home, he then stayed on really well under hands and heels to be nearest at the finish and beaten around 4 lengths. He looked to be screaming out for a longer trip, in fact he’d have probably gone very close to winning over another half mile. His sire has produced plenty of horses that have improved for a longer trip. He’ll be very interesting over further this season, or in fact if the stable send hm over fences to take advantage of the 4yo allowance, which they’ve done many times before.
Saturday 11th March:
2.25 Sandown – Iceo (e/w) – generally 6/1 & Top 5 Places.One of our Ten To Follow horses, we were looking forward to seeing him over fences, but connections have taken their time with him this season and stuck to hurdles. Only seen once so far, he made his delated return to action here in January when running really well when 2nd and looking very much in need of the run. We’d ideally like to see him over 2 ½ miles, but this ground will make this plenty testing enough and he’ll relish the underfoot conditions. Connections have suggested he’s improved a lot for that return run and a big run is expected. – WON 5/1