The feature race at Sandown on Saturday will see a strong field competing for the Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle, with ten of the seventeen declared runners also holding entries for at least one race at the Cheltenham Festival. These contenders have the added incentive of a potential £100,000 bonus should they achieve success at next week’s prestigious meeting.
Among the leading candidates is last year’s winner, Go Dante, who has struggled to add another victory to his record in six subsequent starts. However, his performance in last month’s William Hill Handicap Hurdle at Newbury suggested a return to form as he finished seventh. Nevertheless, he was still about sixteen lengths behind the impressive winner, Joyeuse. A stronger contender might be Lump Sum, trained by Sam Thomas, who finished second in the same race, eight lengths ahead of Go Dante.
Lump Sum will carry top weight again on Saturday, but with Dylan Johnston claiming a useful three-pound allowance, the seven-year-old could be well-positioned to mount a serious challenge. The gelding had a tough task trying to give 21lb to the rapidly improving Joyeuse last time, but this outing presents a more favorable opportunity. Holding an entry for the County Handicap Hurdle on Gold Cup day, Lump Sum offers good value at around 8-1 to secure victory and set up a bid for the six-figure bonus.
In other races at Sandown, Paul Nicholls seeks another victory in the 1.50 handicap with Belliano, who recently secured a comfortable win at Market Rasen. Hereford’s 2.05 contest could favor Hypotenus, who may benefit from ideal track conditions and a soft lead. At Wolverhampton, the 2.45 race presents an interesting opportunity for Silent Age, an outsider at 40-1. The lightly raced gelding needed his first run for ten months when debuting for Ian Williams last month and previously finished fourth in a competitive Newmarket handicap. With many bookmakers offering four places, Silent Age represents an appealing each-way option.
Later in the afternoon, Sandown’s 3.00 race features Charisma Cat, who has been unlucky not to remain unbeaten. Last time out, she encountered trouble in running but finished strongly, eventually missing out by a neck. The conditions appear well-suited for her to make amends. In the 3.20 at Wolverhampton, Al Shabab Storm could prove to be a clever acquisition for Marco Botti’s yard. Though the surface is an unknown factor, his turf form, including a Listed win at Chester in July, suggests he has every chance.
The final significant race at Sandown, the 3.35, sees Dreaming Blue looking to capitalize on better ground. Last time over the course and distance, he appeared to have a valuable handicap chase within his grasp but faded near the line after a demanding effort on heavy going. Improved conditions could bring out the best in him this time around.
With competitive fields and significant prizes on offer, Saturday’s races at Sandown, Hereford, and Wolverhampton provide exciting opportunities for both punters and connections hoping to claim victory ahead of the Cheltenham Festival.
