The phoney fight is roughly over. While the Festival does not begin until Tuesday, the initial big esteem will be contested at Sandown this afternoon, when the Paddy Power Imperial Cup leader will turn authorised for a �75,000 reward if following up in any competition at Cheltenham. The outcome is a formally indigestible aperitif for punters scheming for subsequent weeks banquet.
Martin and afterwards David Pipe are the usually trainers to have won the reward to date, and their fast had the curtain taken from underneath the feet when Hunterview longed for the cut. He is transposed as prime by Qaspal, who himself usually crept in to the competition on 10st 3lb. Tony McCoy, whose lowest roving weight over the past year has been 10st 5lb, will as if do but that second raisin for breakfast.
Since subordinate for a medium rating in beginner hurdles, Qaspal has not come off the check in dual encumber starts and it is unfit to know how majority some-more he competence have in hand. But he has been lifted 14lb to encounter softened horses, whilst dropping behind in area on softened ground. So whilst he could simply shaft up, his constant contingency contingency be pristine guesswork.
Aather additionally stays unexposed but hinted at Cheltenham last time that he competence cite a crook test, whilst Tocca Ferro needs to brush up his jumping to gain on a symbol he will certainly surpass in time. For all the some-more on-going sorts in the field, the maestro Tender Falcon (3.05) seems foul not asked at 33-1. The actuality is that he stays flattering easily raced over jumps, and posted a career majority appropriate when usually knocked about a neck at Ascot last time, his mad finish suggesting he will be at home on the mountain at Sandown.
Some poetic prospects lend towards to assemble for the opener, between that Aberdale (2.0) will certainly have hulk strides after reception a flattering devotedly attached preparation on his approach to a initial encumber rating.
Up at Wolverhampton, meanwhile, a little decent competition reminds us that Flat racing on territory resumes really shortly after the Festival. This weekend, moreover, both those superb American females, Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra, have their reappearance with that big showdown in mind, in Arkansas on 9 April. The dominant Zenyatta will be surrender copiousness of weight to her rivals at Santa Anita; Rachel Alexandra is opposite by only 4 in New Orleans.
Over here all eyes sojourn bound on Cheltenham. Binocular finished his conspicuous rebirth yesterday when appreciative McCoy amply in his work to be reliable an dictated curtain in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle on Tuesday. With the preference of Nicky Hendersons alternative dual runners, Barry Geraghty has stayed constant to last years winner, Punjabi, withdrawal Zaynar to Andrew Tinkler.
Hes a equine thats finished it on the big stage, Geraghty reasoned. More critical still, he only gave me the majority unimaginable feel at Kempton. I"m certain he is simply a open horse. My preference should not simulate at all on Zaynar, as I"m certain he"ll run a big race. And the good Andrew rides; he deserves the possibility on a well-fancied float in a championship race.
Turf account: Chris McGrath
*Nap
Stormin Exit (2.40 Ayr)
Looks an softened equine for his new stable, a smooth leader switched to fences at Newcastle prior to losing movement when hampered dual out here last time in the routine seeking developed for a lapse to this longer trip.
*Next Best
Redford (2.15 Wolverhampton)
Has betrothed some-more than he has delivered so far but his new tutor sets him a test, switched to this aspect turn a bend, that looks certain to fool around to his strengths.
*One To Watch
Miss Saffron (Mrs S Gardner) had no possibility opposite a abounding opposition at Wincanton on Thursday but showed because she was well corroborated for her encumber entrance by violence the rest readily.
*Where The Moneys Going
William Hill halved Tocca Ferro from 16-1 to 8-1 for the Paddy Power Imperial Cup today.
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