We run the rule over the final field declared for Saturday's Betfair Imperial Cup at Sandown Park.
Metier
Really capable performer on his day but tends to save those efforts for when the mud is flying and he’s unlikely to get his favoured conditions this weekend. Could be a shade high in the weights at the moment anyway.
Soaring Glory
Has been tricky to predict, according to his trainer, and probably found himself badly handicapped after winning a Listed handicap hurdle at Ascot in October 2021 (his last success). Has gradually crept back down to that same mark now and has gone well fresh in the past so first time back might be a good time to consider him seriously.
Lightly Squeeze
Took advantage of reduced mark to win well in six-runner field at Kempton (following long layoff) in November but unable to defy 6lb rise when well-held fifth behind Hardy Du Seuil last time. Getting a bit long in the tooth and not hard to look elsewhere for the winner.
Playful Saint
French import last season and, having won his sole start for this yard last March, he’s been brought along steadily this time around. Took full advantage of a drop in class when slamming Washington by 12 lengths at Leicester over Christmas but that came on heavy ground and he could have contrasting conditions to deal with here, along with the 7lb higher mark.
Givega
Held in high regard and unbeaten barring the obvious blip at Warwick (when reportedly bursting a blood vessel). Back on song with career-best effort in a novice event here last month and the assessor hasn’t gone overboard. Looks to be sitting on more improvement.
Royale Margaux
French recruit who was sent off 50/1 on UK debut in a mares’ Listed race at Huntingdon in January and ran accordingly. Can only be watched for the time being.
Iceo
Encouraging trio of runs (one win) after joining this yard in 2021 and although off the track for almost a year, he returned here in January with a fine second to Hardy Du Seuil, who had plenty of race-fitness on his side. Only gone up 1lb and remains fairly treated with the prospect of much more to come.
Man O Work
Unexposed Irish challenger who fell early on in big two-mile handicap hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival last month (10/1). Ran a creditable fourth at Fairyhouse in early-December and could find enough improvement to be a place contender.
Djelo
Looked a very shrewd acquisition when winning on stable/UK debut at Exeter in November but seemingly held by the handicapper since and below his best when down the field at Ascot last month.
Punctuation
Sent off favourite for a traditionally hot handicap at Cheltenham on Trials Day and fared pretty well in fourth behind some lightly-raced and improving rivals. Left on the same mark for this and doubtful he’s stopped improving himself, but may well plateau a little after winning streak has come to and end.
Knickerbockerglory
Won five of his 10 starts under Rules to this point, including on chasing debut at Ffos Las in November. Beaten into second when fancied to follow up from mark of 133 later that month, since when he’s not been out in public. Not badly handicapped (129) back over the smaller obstacles and he’s worth a second look.
Fine Casting
Unable to defy 8lb hike for impressive Haydock win in December when resuming at Uttoxeter last month and not certain to cope with this drop back to 2m on forecast good ground.
Monviel
Beaten 17 lengths when eighth in this last year but made all to make an impressive start to the current campaign at Ascot in November and probably ran as well as could be expected on quick ground in the Betfair Hurdle last month. Eased a pound and although still 9lb higher than for Ascot, he looks to be going the right way.
Hardy Du Seuil
Some quality (and consistent) efforts in novice chases last season and gradually rediscovered his form switched back to hurdling this time around. Won by three lengths from Iceo here last time and although punished with an 11lb hike, he’s still only six and unlikely to have peaked just yet.
Salsada
Showed a bit of class on the Flat for Jedd O’Keeffe and has taken to hurdling pretty well. Back from 220 days off with good second to Epatante in Grade 2 at Doncaster in January and she’s entitled to be sharper on this occasion. Could be suited by this track if getting to the front but may prefer a bit more ease underfoot.
Zoffany Bay
Obvious interest given his trainer won this race last year en route to a crack at the Cheltenham Festival and this well-travelled nine-year-old has an entry in the Martin Pipe at the Festival next week. Won a Listed race in France before returning from 700 days away for new yard at Ascot last month, bustling up the progressive Irish Hill. Could strip fitter for that and impossible to leave from calculations.
Kellahen
Formerly trained in Germany and France and he’s won once from five outings so far for current trainer Tom Symonds. Let down favourite-backers in minor novice event at Doncaster last time, having been creditable second on handicap debut at Wetherby the time before, and doesn’t look up to this level just yet.
Western Zephyr
Stopped quickly when asked for an effort in a Listed novice event won by Luccia at Exeter last month but capable of a lot better than that when firing on all cylinders. Looks on a tempting mark (121) for handicap debut but might be flying a bit high in this company.
CONCLUSION
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Recent Ascot runner-up Zoffany Bay will garner plenty of attention given he's only had that one run for last year's Imperial Cup-winning trainer Peter Fahey, while his Martin Pipe entry at Cheltenham next week also catches the eye.
Salsada looks a mare going places for Brian Ellison and Givega should go well if bringing his A-game again, up just 4lb for the course win last month. If it rains, Monviel would also come right into it.
Preference, however, is for HARDY DU SEUIL who got back to winning ways with a three-length win over Iceo and Djelo here in early-January. He remains fairly treated after a rise based on the pick of his novice chase form.
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