Imperial impressive in Tipp bumper Imperial Ruler looks another nice prospect for Irish Grand National winning trainer Dermot McLoughlin after making a impressive debut in the winners bumper at Tipperary this afternoon. The Imperial Monarch gelding went to post a 12/1 shot on his debut in the two-miler. He was produced to challenge two furlongs out, between even-money shot Kottayam and front-runner John Cannon. Barry O'Neill sent his mount on over a furlong from home and he galloped on strongly in the closing stages to post a two-and-a-quarter length win over the short priced favourite. "He is a nice horse and we were trying to get him into a race before today,”said McLoughlin. "He (Barry O'Neill) said he felt strong, good and quickened well and said he knew his job. “It will depend on the ground and I'll talk to the owners but we could pull the plug now. He liked that ground but I don't know if he'd go on better ground." (Quotes by Tom Weekes)
