The big race tomorrow is the 3.10 at Sandown, the Imperial Cup where the winner earns the chance of a big bonus if winning any race at the Cheltenham Festival next week. Traditionally the Pipe team like to have a serious crack at this lucrative double and they are represented by Mr Thriller and Seven is my Number. Mr Thriller is on a hat trick having won at Bangor and Fontwell, his first two races since arriving from France. All his form is on soft ground though so it remains to be seen how he performs if the ground continues to dry out. Seven is my Number hasn’t run for over a year but with horses from this stable that won’t necessarily matter. A dual bumper winner he has only had 3 runs over hurdles and could be open to plenty of improvement. He has bottom weight and is likely to handle the ground. He looks a serious contender.
The Nicky Henderson duo are worth a mention. Dave’s Dream’s future will be over fences but has the ability to win something like this. He will need to settle better than he did on his last run though. Stellino has been off the track since last May. A winner of 3 races on the flat in Germany he has a couple of wins over hurdles to his credit and I see he is entered in the County Hurdle at the Festival.
Prince Taime is a lightly races type who will appreciate the ground. Another that tends to run freely this big field and a strong gallop might suit him. Numide has run well in a couple, of big handicap hurdles this season beating Aigle D’Or in a driving finish at Cheltenham and then finishing 4th at Ascot behind Sentry Duty. Most of his form is on soft ground. Lastly, Matuhi is very well handicapped if he can produce his best form.
My selection is Seven is my Number .
The Sandown card kicks off with the 2.05 where Big Eared Fran and Bakbenscher are the two I fancy. The former is very lightly raced and has probably been lined up for this. Bakbenscher beat Captain Americo at Newbury in December and that horse has since won twice so the form looks solid. Of the rest Keki Buku is worth considering while at bigger prices Circus of Dreams and Martys Mission, the latter is best on good ground, have each way claims.
Trigger the Light won both his races last season but has not had much luck since and was brought down on his most recent outing. In the RP he is the outsider of the party but he is surely better than that and it is just a pity that there are only 7 runners as he would be a cracking each way bet otherwise.
Moorlands Teri has done well for this column already this season and is upped in class in the 3.35 after a couple of wins. He faces a much stiffer task tomorrow but at 12/1 might be worth a small each way interest.
Song of Songs has made a pleasing start to his career over fences and I hope to see him continue with another win in the 4.20 where he will be ridden by Tony McCoy.
At Ayr my only selection is Cadoudalas in the 2.45.
My short list for the Chepstow 2.25 consists of Traffic Control, King Fontaine and Putney Bridge. The latter was 3rd albeit beaten quite a long way behind Gee Dee Nen last time. A dual bumper winner he is probably capable of better. King Fontaine is well regarded by his trainer and may have found the ground too testing when a beaten favourite here last time. Traffic Control a winner of his only start in Irish point to points was second over hurdles at Southwell recently and can go one better here.
Mark the Book was hindered by jumping errors when runner up to Quickbeam at Taunton but if he can sharpen up his fences is capable of winning the 3.35.
The 4.45 looks a very open contest. Hello Moscow is not the most straightforward but did manage to win at Plumpton last month. If first time blinkers bring out further improvement in his he may be able to defy joint top weight. The other top weight, It’s Tough would be my next best.
Today’s picture, by the artist Lisa Miller, is of the first 3 home in the Gold Cup last season. Neptune Collonges, Kauto Star and Denman.
Good luck!
ahorse 