14:25 Sandown

Saturday 11 March 2023

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

Betfair Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:26 | Winning time: 4m 11.0s

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Selected odds by:

Metier^t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 143| CD

12/1

C&D winner who also bagged the November Handicap on final day of the Flat season. Well below par at Kempton on both his starts over hurdles since though so he has something to prove now.

Form: 7/P417-P

Lightly Squeeze^t⁶³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Ben Bromley⁽⁵⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 135| D

80/1

Returned to former stable with 2m win at Kempton in November but well below par over C&D in January. Needs to bounce back after his break.

Form: 80/74-15

Playful Saint^t⁷³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 135| D

13/2

Lightly-raced 8-y-o but he comes here on the back of easy success in 2m handicap hurdle at Leicester 25 days ago. Has conditions to suit again and rates a player despite taking a 7 lb rise.

Form: 12/1-421

Givega²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 133| CD

9/2

Winning pointer who made it 3-4 in this sphere when readily landing novice over C&D 23 days ago. This is tougher but he's still much respected now going handicapping.

Form: 1-11P1

Royale Margaux^t⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Caoilin Quinn⁽⁵⁾| T: T Symonds| OR: 132WS

80/1

Multiple winner in France around 2m for David Cottin who made an encouraging start for his new yard when fifth over 2m4f at Huntingdon. Since had wind op and not ruled out back in trip.

Form: 1-P1555

Iceo^h⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 132| D

5/1

Ex-French winner who scored on his yard debut at Kempton in 2021. Got back on track after 10 months off when second of 10 to Hardy Du Seuil over C&D 63 days ago. Merits consideration nudged up only 1 lb.

Form: 1144-2

Man O Work³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: W T Kennedy| T: P G Fahey| OR: 132| D

14/1

Useful Irish 2m winner who posted a good fourth of 17 in 2m handicap at Fairyhouse in December. Fell early at Leopardstown last time but he's no forlorn hope here.

Form: F15-24F

Djelo²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 130

14/1

Readily landed 2m2f handicap at Exeter in November on his yard debut but came in only 10th in 2m3f Ascot handicap three weeks ago. Still lightly raced and in excellent hands so not written off.

Form: 1-1230

Punctuation^t⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 129| BF| DWS

22/1

Much improved since joining Fergal O'Brien and fitted with a tongue tie, completing a 4-timer at Cheltenham in December. Posted another solid effort off 8 lb higher when fourth there last time so needs considering on the back of subsequent breathing surgery.

Form: 911-114

Knickerbockerglory¹⁰⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 129| BF| D

25/1

Won 4 times in 2022, including in a match over fences at Ffos Las, and not discredited when second in 2m Wetherby handicap chase later in November. Considered reverted to this sphere now.

Form: 1311-12

Fine Casting²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Luca Morgan| T: B Pauling| OR: 129| D

12/1

Bagged his third success over hurdles when taking 2m2f handicap at Haydock in December. Not disgraced off a 8 lb higher mark when fifth at Uttoxeter since. Respected.

Form: 14-2315

Monviel²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Ben Jones| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 129| CD

11/2

C&D winner who took another step forward when dominating 2m Ascot handicap in November. Good staying-on fifth in Newbury's Betfair Hurdle since so he's one for the shortlist eased 1 lb under these more testing conditions.

Form: 6118-15

Hardy Du Seuil⁶³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 128| CD

11/1

Took well to chasing for his current yard last season, winning twice, and added a C&D success over hurdles in January. Up 4 lb but not dismissed.

Form: 222-531

Zoffany Bay²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 125| D

12/1

Resurgent in 2021 for David Cottin in France, scoring at Auteuil (19.4f), and he made a promising return for his new yard when second of 12 in 2m3f Ascot handicap three weeks ago. Firmly in the picture.

Form: 12F51/2

Kellahen⁶⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Benjamin Poste| T: T Symonds| OR: 122| BF

28/1

Useful on the Flat in Germany/France and got off the mark over hurdles in 2m Bangor novice in November. Has posted solid efforts to be placed in Wetherby handicap and Doncaster novice since so can't be discounted.

Form: 42-123

Western Zephyr^h1²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 121| D

33/1

Point/bumper winner who has also scored twice over hurdles this season at Ludlow and Huntingdon. Beat only one in Exeter listed event last time though so much more is required in first-time hood here.

Form: 10-1315

Non-Runners

Soaring Glory⁷⁰

Weight: 12-0| Age: 8

T: J & A O'Neill J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.

Salsada⁴²

Weight: 10-12| Age: 6

T: B Ellison J: J J Burke

Forecasts

Givega (9/2), Iceo (5/1), Monviel (11/2), Playful Saint (13/2), Hardy Du Seuil (11/1), Fine Casting (12/1), Zoffany Bay (12/1), Metier (12/1), Djelo (14/1), Salsada (14/1), Man O Work (14/1), Soaring Glory (16/1), Punctuation (22/1), Knickerbockerglory (25/1), Kellahen (28/1), Western Zephyr (33/1), Lightly Squeeze (80/1), Royale Margaux (80/1)

Plenty are in with a shout. PLAYFUL SAINT scored with lots in hand at Leicester last time and remains with few miles on the clock so Dan Skelton's 8-y-o gets the nod with conditions likely to be very much in his favour too. Salsada is weighted to have a big say back in handicap company having chased home Epatante in a Doncaster Grade 2 and is next on the list, with Monviel, Zoffany Bay and Punctuation completing the shortlist.