The Imperial Cup is a 2m ½f listed handicap hurdle that is always run at Sandown on the final Saturday before the Cheltenham Festival. There is an added bonus of £100,000 for any horse that can win this race then go on to win a race at the Festival next week.
Being so close to the Festival could have been a big detriment to the quality of the assembled field in the Imperial Cup; however it never appears that way after the introduction of the lucrative bonus for the Imperial Cup – Cheltenham double.
Horses primed to their absolute peak fitness are targeted at this race year after year for obvious reasons.
Statistics & Trends (Last 15 Years)
15/15 – Had won no more than twice over hurdles before
14/15 – Had won between 1-2 times over hurdles before
14/15 – Had raced within the last 6 weeks
12/15 – Carried 10-13 or less
12/15 – Aged 6 or younger
12/15 – Rated 124 or higher
The weight trends for this race are particularly interesting as based on those facts alone you would be tempted to dismiss Call Me Lord’s chances totally out of hand.
Runner-By-Runner Guide (*Cheltenham Entries)
Call Me Lord (Nicky Henderson)
Call Me Lord was a neck second to Mr Antolini in this race last year before thrashing a small but select field in the Select Hurdle here over 2m5f on the last day of the season.
He was well fancied on his return in the Long Walk Hurdle, and is an interesting contender back in handicap company but he will have to shoulder a massive weight to oblige here.
*Entered in the Coral Cup and County Hurdle.
Speredek (Nigel Hawke)
Better known for his bold “catch me if you can” front running exploits over fences in recent times, it must be remembered that he was also a very useful hurdler. His rivals won’t want to give him too much leeway up front.
*Entered in the Grand Annual
First Flow (Kim Bailey)
First Flow went off a 12/1 chance for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle last year after winning the SkyBet Supreme Trial at Haydock by 10 lengths.
After disappointing in the Supreme he has not been seen on a racecourse since. If he is fit for his first run of the season then he is a major player on rain softened ground.
*Entered in the County Hurdle
Blu Cavalier (Ali Stronge)
Ran a career-best effort when 6¼ lengths third to Al Dancer in the Betfair Hurdle at Ascot last time, continuing a fine run of placed efforts this season. Often front runs and will be entirely at home on the going.
*Entered in the County Hurdle and the Martin Pipe Hurdle.
Chti Balko (Donald McCain)
Acts on heavy going and was placed 9th in this race last season behind Mr Antolini. Has been running with credit this season and could easily challenge for a place at least.
*Entered in the County Hurdle.
Dream Du Grand Val (Nicky Henderson)
Dream Du Grand Val carries just 10st 5lb and is on a hat-trick following wins at Fontwell and Kelso. He will act on the going and is an exciting recruit for the Million In Mind Partnership.
*Entered in the County Hurdle and the Martin Pipe Hurdle.
All Yours (Sean Curran)
An eight-year-old who has been off the track for a total of 1026 days. A massive leap of faith is required to even contemplate backing this one.
Solomon Grey (Dan Skelton)
Finished 1½ lengths second to Big Time Dancer in the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton last time and acts on soft going. Should be on the premises again for a resurgent yard.
*Entered in the Coral Cup.
Malaya (Paul Nicholls)
Useful mare who won a Listed event in Auteuil before making her way back to the UK. She finished 5½ lengths fourth of to Brio Conti in a handicap at Ascot last time and is entitled to come on for the run.
*Entered in the County Hurdle.
Storm Rising (Dr Richard Newland)
A winner at both Limerick and Galway last summer, the six-year-old was in great form before running a dud race in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham.
The gelding has had a nice break since and it would appear Dr Newland has had his sights on this target for some time.
*Entered in the County Hurdle.
Tottersdown (Richard Phillips)
Totterdown is a course and distance winner who has consistently been hitting the frame with this season.
He carried 11st 12lb to victory when he was a surprise 25/1 winner here so Saturday’s weight will feel like nothing at all on his back.
*Entered in the County Hurdle.
Pyromaniac (Alistair Ralph)
Sam Twiston-Davies will certainly have to be on fire in order to get this nine-year-old home in front given his poor recent form. The gelding last won in May 2015 when he was trained by Tony Martin in Ireland.
Extra Mag (David Pipe)
The Pipe surname is inextricably linked with this race after father Martin managed to land the Sandown-Cheltenham double on three occasions.
Five-year-old Extra Mag has been the subject of good money all week with many punters of the opinion that Pipe (David) is well overdue a winner in this contest.
*Entered in the County Hurdle and the Martin Pipe Hurdle.
Monsieur Lecoq (Jane Williams)
Another progressive five-year-old, he was a wide margin maiden hurdle winner at Ffos Las in December and won a handicap hurdle here in January, getting the better of Our Merlin by nine lengths.
He is up 10lbs for that success, but still remains on a relatively low weight.
*Entered in the County Hurdle and the Martin Pipe Hurdle.
Our Merlin (Robert Walford)
A reliable sort who acts on heavy going but will probably struggle to reverse placings with Monsieur Lecoq.
Bryony Frost takes the mount which will probably help attract a bit of money for him on Saturday morning.
Benny's Bridge (Fergal O'Brien)
Benny’s Bridge was impressive when making his handicap debut at Cheltenham running out the comfortable winner of a handicap hurdle on Trials Day.
The six-year-old would probably prefer conditions a little less testing however.
*Entered in the Supreme Novice’s Hurdle and the County Hurdle.
CONCLUSION:
Swell those Festival coffers by trusting in the training prowess of Kim Bailey and his horse, First Flow (nap).
Speredek (nb) is interesting back in this sphere and can reward each-way backers with his forcing tactics.
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
