Imperial Cup at Sandown

Sandown´s pre-Cheltenham Saturday is notable for some hot handicaps, notably the Imperial Cup, a 2 mile hurdle at 16.15 CET, where the winner will receive a massive bonus if he goes on to score at the Festival. It is also a good race in its own right, although the field today seems slightly below the usual standard and also much smaller than usual. It is still difficult to find the winner, especially as we do not really fancy the likely favourite Regal Encore (Tony Honeyball/ Tony McCoy), as his sztable is out of form and we think his Hexham form has been overrated. The Pipe stable has a good record here and both their runners must be feared: Swing Bowler (Conor O´Farrell) and Baltimore Rock, the mount of stable jockey Tom Scudamore. Top trainers Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls are always dangerous in these big handicaps, and their runners Vibrato Valtat (Daryl Jacob) and Fourth Estate (Andrew Tinkler) also come on to the short list. First Avenue was a shock winner of this last year, but his form since has been poor, while Skint as a possible longshot off bottom weight. However our main hope is Knight of Pleasure (Gary and Josh Moore), the only other CD winner in the field.

There are two more of last year´s winners running again,and both Soll (Jo Hughes/ Micky Grant) at 15.40 and Arbeo(Di Grissell/ Sam Thomas) at 18.00 could follow up, but the one we really like on this card is Gone Too Far (Alan King/ McCoy) in the Grade Three novices handicap hurdle at 15.05.

The other jumps meetings do not look up to much. but there is a good all-weather card at Wolverhampton. Hasopop (Marco Botti/ Martin Harley) could be a nice each-way bet in the opening listed race at 15.20, and so could Whispering Warrior (David Simcock/ Jim Crowley) at 15.55.