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Liverpool Echo

Sport

Chris Wright

Horse Power: Hardy Du Seuil can win the Imperial Cup at Sandown

Jamie Snowden Sandown Virgin Bet Cheltenham Festival

HARDY DU SEUIL can grab victory in the Betfair Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (2.25pm) at Sandown on Saturday afternoon – providing the meeting passes an 8am inspection in the morning.

Although the Jamie Snowden-trained six-year-old course and distance winner can’t bid for the £50,000 bonus if he does triumph as he is not entered in any races at next week’s Cheltenham Festival. The last horse to win the Imperial Cup and go on to land the bonus with victory at Prestbury Park was David Pipe’s Gaspara in 2007.

But the Imperial Cup is prestigious prize in its own right and it looks as competitive a running as ever. But Hardy Du Seuil brings plenty of hope that he can triumph ahead of chiefly, the Dan Skelton-trained Playful Saint, Gary Moore’s Givega and Zoffany Bay, from last year’s winning trainer Peter Fahey.

Hardy Du Seuil was sent chasing immediately after arriving in Britain from France in 2021. He won twice and was runner-up a further three times in seven starts over the bigger obstacles. But he returned to hurdling for the first time since a win at Fontainebleu in February 2021 when last of five at Ffos Las in October.

He built on a decent third at Wetherby the following month with a fine victory in a two-mile handicap over course and distance in January – beating Imperial Cup rivals Iceo and Djelo comfortably.

He was given a 11lb rise in the ratings for that win but he is still only carrying 10st13lb and rated at 130, which – on the trends – is ideal for this contest.

With just three runs over hurdles for his current connections, he remains open to more improvement. They have found the key to him now and can grab another victory.

Skelton’s ETALON can win the European Breeders’ Fund Betfair ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Final (Premier H’cap) (GBB) (1.50pm).

The six-year-old made it third time lucky over obstacles with victory at Wetherby in January, having been second at Warwick and at Aintree Racecourse in December. He can maintain his progress with another victory stepped back up in trip to 2m4f.

Gary Moore’s SPIRIT D'AUNOU can land a hat-trick of victories in the Racing Only Bettor Podcast Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (1.15pm).

The four-year-old was second at Kempton on his hurdling debut in November but has won at Huntingdon and Ludlow since, the latter success was particularly impressive.

He can land a hat-trick before potentially stepping up in grade at the Randox Grand National Festival or other big meetings in the spring.

Paul Nicholls’ course winner QUEL DESTIN may be able to cause a minor shock and beat better-fancied Easy As That and No Risk Des Flos in the Betfair Daily Multiples Offer At Cheltenham Novices’ Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (3.35pm).

Nigel Twiston-Davies’ CASA NO MENTO can make it two wins from two starts in the Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (GBB Race) (3pm).

Others who may score at Sandown are Stuart Edmund’s FEIVEL – a winner at Wetherby on his first start for the stable –in the Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase (Challenger Staying Chase Series Qualifier) (4.10pm); and the Evan Williams-trained GOLDEN WHISKY in the finale, the Daily Tips On Betting.Betfair.com Handicap Chase (4.45pm).

At Ayr – where they raced today but must pass a precautionary inspection at 8.30am on Saturday morning – the Gillian Boanas-trained course and distance winner ON WE GO can go in again in the Virgin Bet Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Go North Lady Buttons Qualifier) (For The Ayrshire Yeomanry Cup) (2pm). The 10-year-old has won four of his last eight starts over hurdles, including over course and distance at the start of February and still has scope for more success.

Sandy Thomson’s MASSINI MAN can make it three wins from four starts this season with another victory in the Virgin Bet Fives Handicap Chase (Go North Monet’s Garden Series Qualifier) (2.45pm)

Another course and distance winner, the Nick Alexander-trained GINGER MAIL, can go one better than when runner-up at Kelso last time in the Virgin Bet Cheltenham Festival Money Back Handicap Hurdle (For The Craigie Cup) (3.20pm).

Others who may triumph up in Scotland are Merseyside-born trainer Donald McCain’s BARNABAS COLLINS in the opener, the Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (1.35pm); the Mark Walford-trained course and distance winner CASH TO ASH in the Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Handicap Chase (3.55pm); and Lucinda Russell’s GIOVINCO in the Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (4.30pm).

If the jumps action falls victim to the snow and freezing temperatures the all-weather meeting at Wolverhampton Charlie Fellowes’ VADREAM can win the Spreadex Sports Lady Wulfruna Stakes (Listed) (All-Weather Championships Fast-Track Qualifier) (2.40pm).

Other potential winners in the Midlands are the Andrew Balding-trained duo BERKSHIRE PHANTOM and NOTRE BELLE BETE in the talkSPORT Powered By Fans Handicap (3.15pm) and in the Spreadex Sports Lincoln Trial Handicap (2.10pm) respectively.