The last big handicap of the season in Britain before Cheltenham takes place on Saturday and the Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle (2.25) has attracted a stellar 17-runner line-up.
The card features last year’s Imperial Cup winner Go Dante as he bids to retain his crown against several up-and-coming rivals.
Our expert, Clive Gildon, has a trio of selections on the card including one in the feature race and another couple in the supporting contests which are live on ITV4.
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Sandown racing tips
- 1.50 Sandown – The Kemble Brewery
- 2.25 Sandown – To Chase A Dream
- 3.35 Sandown – Java Point
1.50 Sandown – The Kemble Brewery
The EBF Final often turns out to be one of the best of the season at Sandown and this year’s race has attracted another strong field of promising novice hurdlers.
The one to be on could be The Kemble Brewery, who was beaten two lengths by Meetmebythesea at Ludlow last time but was conceding 11lb to that rival, including rider Callum Pritchard’s claim. It will be only 5lb on this occasion and the form can be reversed.
The Kemble Brewery travelled like the best horse in that Ludlow contest and it appeared to be the double penalty that anchored him in the closing stages. He should find it much easier this time and the step up in trip by four furlongs also promises to suit judging on his pedigree.
The selection is out of a dam who won a point-to-point race, while there are loads of three-mile winners among his close relatives. If he improves for the step up in trip, he should outclass his rivals.
2.25 Sandown – To Chase A Dream
The big race of the day is the Imperial Cup (2.25) and the one who has been overlooked in the market is To Chase A Dream, who still appears to be improving with each of his runs.
The Paul Collins-trained gelding completed a hat-trick before tasting defeat at Cheltenham in December, but he still finished a good fourth and was beaten only seven lengths by the winner Mirabad.
To Chase A Dream took another step forward at Doncaster last time. He was again beaten and this time as odds-on favourite, but there was no disgrace in that second behind Classic King in a race that became messy. All of the hurdles in the home straight were omitted and To Chase A Dream had to weave his way in and out of traffic.
He still did all of his best work in the closing stages to get back up for second, having looked like he would be beaten a lot further than he was at one point, and that suggests he is still progressing. Another step forward won’t leave him with much to find with the best of these.
3.35 Sandown – Java Point
The 3m handicap chase (3.35) looks like a good opportunity for Java Point, who is only 1lb higher than when scoring over course and distance on good ground last season and is evidently handicapped to run well again back at a track that is among his favourites.
Java Point has been inconsistent since, but was beaten only a length and a half into second behind Transmission in a hot-looking handicap at Cheltenham’s November meeting and that was from a mark 1lb higher than this. A reproduction of that form would give him a chance.
He was pulled up at Ascot last time and needs to bounce back from that disappointment. However, that was his first run since the middle of December and it seems fair to assume that he needed it, especially as he likes good ground, so will be trained to peak in the spring.
He is likely to get his ideal conditions and should strip fitter for that return, so he could go well again.
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