3 minute read

Rivals stack up at Sandown – with Festival bonus on offer.

David Pipe is double-handed in a bid to extend his family's excellent record in the Paddy Power Imperial Cup at Sandown.

His father Martin saddled six winners of the traditional feature on the Saturday before the Cheltenham Festival, while David himself has struck gold on three occasions since.

Sponsors Paddy Power are this year offering a £50,000 bonus if the winner can follow up in any race at Cheltenham next week, a double which has been achieved on just three occasions since the incentive has been up for grabs – and all by horses trained at the Pipes' Pond House yard.

Pipe senior saddled Olympian to win the Imperial Cup-Coral Cup double in 1993, while five years later Blowing Wind followed up success at Sandown with victory in the County Hurdle.

Gaspara landed the bonus pot for David Pipe in 2007 by winning what is now the Boodles Juvenile Hurdle at Cheltenham.

This year he fires a twin assault, with Leoncavallo of particular interest on what is his first competitive appearance since finishing sixth in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket in October.

"Leoncavallo has done very well on the Flat for us, and has had a break since the Cesarewitch," said Pipe.

"He's in good form and won't mind the (good to soft) ground. Hopefully he's got a decent each-way chance.

"He's got some good form in two-mile handicaps, and it looks an open contest on Saturday.

"He'll be left in at Cheltenham, and we'll see what happens this weekend."

The nine-year-old is joined by stablemate Eamon An Cnoic, who won over the course and distance last month before filling the runner-up spot at Chepstow a week later.

Pipe added: "He's 10 years old and is not getting any younger.

"He's got decent form round Sandown. He would probably prefer softer ground, but takes his chance."

The likely favourite for the £50,000 contest is Natural History, but trainer Gary Moore is far from confident about his chances.

The Nathaniel gelding claimed the notable scalp of Moore's Champion Hurdle hope Goshen on the Flat in October, when trained by Andrew Balding and owned by the Queen, before changing hands for 105,000 guineas later that month.

He was beaten on his first two hurdling starts, but bolted up on his handicap debut at Plumpton recently – and is 16lb higher in the weights as a result.

When told his charge was the clear favourite for the Imperial Cup, Moore said: "I think it's total madness.

"He's gone up 16lb for a winning a small race at Plumpton. He probably went into it well handicapped, but he's come out of it badly handicapped as far as I'm concerned.

"I think it will be a tough ask for him on only his fourth run over hurdles. I hope I'm wrong, but I wouldn't be backing him at 3-1 anyway."

Langer Dan is well fancied for the formidable combination of Dan and Harry Skelton.

Dan Skelton said: "Langer Dan ran well at Market Rasen the last day and is probably one of those horses that as a second-season hurdler, going from juveniles and novices, has just taken a while to find his feet.

"I think Sandown will really suit him, because he wants a stiff finish and he didn't have that at Market Rasen. I'm not saying he is going to win, but he goes there in good health and should run well."

Paul Nicholls saddles top-weight Miranda, as well as Diego Du Charmil and Malaya, winner of the race two years ago.

He told Betfair: "Miranda looked very good when winning a Grade Two mares' hurdle at Doncaster at the end of January but keeps going up in the weights, so the 7lb claim of Angus Cheleda will certainly help. I expect her to run another solid race.

"Diego Du Charmil is talented and versatile, and did a lovely piece of work at Wincanton last week. He goes well fresh and is in good order.

"I have to admit Malaya was a bit disappointing last time at Ascot, where I felt the step up in trip would be in her favour. But after watching her that day, I am not convinced that is the case.

"While Malaya can be a bit in and out, she won this race two years ago, so we know the track suits her well – and it wouldn't surprise me to see her bounce back to form."