Imperial Joe

After running well behind Sabbathical and then Iberio it was no surprise to see IMPERIAL JOE (best price 3/1) get off the mark at Exeter earlier this month. He had been improving with experience and travelled strongly before coming clear under Sean Houlihan. He shaped as though this extra yardage would bring about further improvement and a 6lb rise doesn’t look enough to anchor him this afternoon. He has only actually had 6 starts under Rules and he remains unexposed. The fifth from that race No No Tonic had won her previous start by 11 lengths impressively so the form looks rock solid. How’s The Cricket needed every yard to win at Taunton over 3 miles so might be taken off his feet over this sharper trip. Gerolamo Cardano might be the biggest danger but he doesn’t win too often and that would have to be a concern.