14:25 Sandown

Saturday 12 March 2022

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

Paddy Power Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 4m 12.5s

Miranda⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Ben Bromley⁽⁷⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 146| BF| D

40/1

Likeable mare who showed an excellent attitude when scoring at Ludlow. Below-par second in Yorkshire Rose Mares' Hurdle (evens) at Doncaster but she's the sort to bounce back.

Form: 415-212

Samarrive⁸⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 139| CD

16/1

Gained his third win in listed handicap over C&D but off track since pulled up in Ascot handicap later in December. Worth another chance after his break.

Form: 11-71P

Onemorefortheroad⁸⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: J M Quinlan| T: N B King| OR: 137| D

12/1

Bagged his third win of the season when making all at Newbury. Excellent second at Ascot since, so this likeable type is well in the mix nudged up just 1 lb.

Form: 1-41112

Suprise Package³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: James Bowen| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 135

20/1

Winless since last April but he arrives in good nick, ninth of 27 in handicap hurdle at Leopardstown (16f) 34 days ago. Irish raider is shortlisted.

Form: 4P2729

Mick Maestro²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Charlie Hammond| T: N Kent| OR: 135| D

50/1

Arrives on a hat-trick after back-to-back wins at Catterick, scoring readily over 2m on latter occasion. Up another 7 lb but not taken lightly in his current mood.

Form: 9-40611

Balco Coastal⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 134| D

9/2

Improving hurdler who landed 2m novices at Huntingdon and Ludlow before excellent second in Classic Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham (20.2f) last time. Goes into handicaps on a good mark. Player.

Form: 217-112

Hacker Des Places¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Angus Cheleda⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 133| D

16/1

French import who got back to winning ways in 5-runner handicap at Chepstow (16f) 14 days ago. Up 4 lb now but he's no forlorn hope.

Form: 121-641

Up For Parol²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 132| BF| D

11/1

Progressive sort who scored at Haydock and posted another excellent effort when clear third in 20f handicap at Wetherby 24 days ago. Remains one to be interested in.

Form: 1-34163

Calico^t⁶⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Tristan Durrell⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 132| D

28/1

Useful novice who won twice last term and shaped well when third at Hereford on his chasing bow in January. Respected back in this sphere after a break.

Form: 14-8423

Transatlantic¹¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 130

33/1

Fairly useful ex-French Flat/hurdle performer. In excellent hands, so he's worth a second look on his handicap/yard debut.

Form: 2-3F5

Hystery Bere^t⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Aidan Coleman| T: T Symonds| OR: 130

15/2

Has taken his form up a notch this term, scoring at Fontwell before strong-finishing third in 2m handicap at Cheltenham 42 days ago. Should progress further. Claims.

Form: 1213-13

Zambezi Fix¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: S Bowen| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 128| D

28/1

Winless since early 2020, but he arrives in excellent nick, third at Taunton (16.5f) 18 days ago. In the picture once more.

Form: 2-F2523

Current Mood³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Isabel Williams⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 127| D

17/2

Resumed winning ways in 2m novice hurdle at Chepstow last month. Still low mileage, so she needs considering now going into handicaps.

Form: 113431

Howdyalikemenow²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 126| D

50/1

Much improved for this yard, winning 3 times, but only tenth in Betfair Hurdle (100/1) at Newbury 28 days ago. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 110160

Mr Grey Sky¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 126| D

16/1

Lightly raced 8-y-o who comes here on a hat-trick after all-the-way wins at Leciester and Ludlow. This is tougher, but he has more to offer and shouldn't be underestimated.

Form: 3/33-511

Lucky One²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 125| D

8/1

Ended his time with Paul Nicholls on a low note, but he hinted strongly at a revival for his current yard when third in Ascot handicap 21 days ago. Interesting off a much-reduced mark now.

Form: 15F-973

Kihavah³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: K Brogan⁽³⁾| T: A Keatley| OR: 124| D

22/1

Much improved of late, scoring over 2m at Newcastle and Musselburgh. Strong traveller, who is much respected back in handicap company.

Form: 832171

Lebowski⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: R Patrick| T: M Scudamore| OR: 124| D

20/1

Looked promising when easily winning 2m novice hurdles at Ffos Las and Ayr in November but pulled up in Rossington Main at Haydock in January. Worth another chance on his handicap bow.

Form: 235-11P

Hydroplane^t⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: C J Todd⁽³⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 122| CD

33/1

Regained winning ways over C&D in January but reportedly struck into when ninth in handicap at Cheltenham last time. Sort to bounce back.

Form: 211-P19

Lively Citizen³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: Archie Bellamy⁽⁷⁾| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 121| D

28/1

Likeable and consistent sort who comes here on the back of gutsy win in 2m Leicester handicap last month. Not ruled out despite taking 4 lb rise.

Form: 33-31P1

Monviel²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-1| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 121| CD

22/1

Has progressed with each of his three runs and successful in 2022 in Wincanton maiden and C&D novice. Open to further progress now handicapping and is one to consider.

Form: 6611

Grisbi De Berce⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-1| J: J J Burke| T: A King| OR: 121| D

22/1

Low-mileage 2m winner who was set a lot to do when good fourth in 2m handicap at Kempton in January. No forlorn hope off an easing mark after his break.

Form: 61-5F44

Forecasts

Balco Coastal (9/2), Hystery Bere (15/2), Lucky One (8/1), Current Mood (17/2), Up For Parol (11/1), Onemorefortheroad (12/1), Hacker Des Places (16/1), Samarrive (16/1), Mr Grey Sky (16/1), Suprise Package (20/1), Lebowski (20/1), Grisbi De Berce (22/1), Monviel (22/1), Kihavah (22/1), Lively Citizen (28/1), Calico (28/1), Zambezi Fix (28/1), Hydroplane (33/1), Transatlantic (33/1), Miranda (40/1), Howdyalikemenow (50/1), Mick Maestro (50/1)

Plenty are in with a shout in an ultra competitive Imperial Cup. Dan Skelton landed this event 12 months ago and his LUCKY ONE signalled he's ready to strike when third at Ascot last time so can capitalise on a much-reduced mark. Balco Coastal arrives on the up and is feared most on his handicap debut, although a case can also be made for Onemorefortheroad, Hystery Bere and Grisbi de Berce.