Impek Slashed for the King George

Bookmakers were impressed by Impek as it cruised to an easy 19 lengths victory at Exeter yesterday in the William Hill Gold Cup. Ladbrokes and BlueSq dropped Impek's price for victory in the Boxing Day King George, at Kempton, to 9/1 and 10/1 respectively.

AP McCoy and Impek put in a faultless display of jumping at Exeter yesterday in what turned out to be an eventful race. Racing Demon, the market leader, fell very early on in a bizarre incident which ejected jockey Graham Lee, face first, into the Exeter turf. Prior to that jump two other horses fell (Dempsey and Green Tango), leaving Impek clear of rival Chilling Place.

Chilling Place was running on well when, 4 fences from home, Racing Demon - stable mate of Impek, who was still running loose, badly hampered Richard Johnson's mount and brought it down. Impek was left well clear and ran on unchallenged to the line.

It was an emotional day for trainer Henrietta Knight. In the same race last year the superb Best Mate, trained by Knight, died after a terrible accident.

Impek is now as short at 9/1 with Ladbrokes for the King George at Kempton in December. However, anybody watching the race at Exeter yesterday will realise this price is a knee jerk reaction to Impek's victory. There is no doubt Impek is a very good race horse, indeed, the animal put in a good display of jumping yesterday whilst all those around it hit the deck. However, when fully fit, is Impek as good as Racing Demon and the unlucky Chilling Place? (who was backed heavily in the run up to the race). I think not.

Of course, jump racing is all about getting over the fences and horses who can't jump, don't win. Had Racing Demon and Chilling Place stood up, Impek's task would have been much tougher.

The 9/1 for Impek represents poor value in my opinion. The horse may be a good each way selection for the King George but can you really see it beating the likes of Kauto Star and Monet's Garden, or even Our Vic?

We will see on Boxing Day!

Ed note: Make your ante-post bets on the King George at Blue Square

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