Talking Horses

Paul Jones' daily Cheltenham Festival countdown stat Kempes announced himself as a live outsider for the totesport Gold Cup when winning the Irish Hennessy Gold Cup in the style of a progressive, young stayer but he would be a very unusual Gold Cup winner though as he started his career on the Flat where he had 11 starts for Frances Crowley and was bought by McManus just before the Supreme Novices� Hurdle two years ago where he could only finish twelfth having impressed winning his first two starts over timber. The last Gold Cup winner to have started his career on the Flat was the 1979 winner, Alverton. Paul Jones is author of The Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide published by Weatherbys Today's best bets, by Greg Wood There is little doubt about the most interesting horse on the card at Exeter, though there are no great riches to be had from backing him. Spirit Son is the latest big-money recruit from France to carry the colours of Michael Buckley, and he also carries the approval of the Timeform organisation, who have accorded him that honour of a large P on the basis of a hugely impressive win last time out. Spirit Son could well prove himself a realistic contender for the Festival this afternoon, and is already around 20-1 for the Supreme Novice Hurdle, but from a betting point of view, Inside Dealer (4.10) is more appealing. He has little to find on form from this mark, and nothing to beat that looks progressive. At Navan, Torpichen (2.20) can beat the in-and-out Saludos in the Grade Two novice chase, while Shinrock Paddy (2.50) is worth backing to beat Voler La Vedette in the Boyne Hurdle. Imperial Commander to gallop at Warwick Imperial Commander is to have a racecourse gallop at Warwick on Monday after plans to work last year's Cheltenham Gold Cup hero at Newbury had to be scrapped following the tragic events there. Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies was quick to make alternative arrangements for the 10-year-old, who has not raced since making a successful reappearance in the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November. He was to have run in the King George VI Chase at Kempton but a setback ruled him out of the Christmas feature. "He's going to Warwick tomorrow. He'll go about two miles round there with Paddy (Brennan) riding but won't jump any fences," said the Naunton handler. "He'll be accompanied by some stablemates." Imperial Commander is ante-post favourite at around 7-2 to retain his crown at Prestbury Park on 18 March. PA Click here for all the day's racecards, form, stats and results. Click here for today's latest odds. And post your racing-related comments below