The William Hill Imperial Cup Handicap
Hurdle, run over a testing 2 miles and 110 yards at Sandown Park, has
produced four winning favourites and a couple more winners at
single-figure prices in the last 10 years. However, winners at 20/1
(twice), 12/1 and 10/1 in the same period – not to mention a
maximum field of 24 runners, as usual – provide cause for optimism
as far as this column is concerned.
Raven’s Tower (40/1) hasn’t shown a
great deal in three starts so far this season, but is only 1lb higher
in the weights than when sixth of twenty-four, beaten 5¼ lengths, in
the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival
last March. The Raven’s Pass gelding subsequently won a 0-135
contest over 2 miles at Ascot and had previously won a couple of
times on soft going so, if the first-time blinkers have the desired
effect, he could go well at generous odds.
Another that catches the eye is
Alistair Whillans’ beautifully-bred, but relatively lightly-raced
6-year-old Meadowcroft Boy (33/1). The Kayf Tara gelding makes the
long journey south from Newmill-On-Slitrig in the Scottish Borders
and, although he needs to improve on the form he’s shown over
hurdles so far, his chance may not be as forlorn as his odds suggest.
Certainly, his latest third, beaten 8¾ lengths, behind subsequent
Grade 2 winner Glingerburn over 2 miles 2 furlongs at Kelso last
month was a creditable effort. He, too, has winning form over 2 miles
on soft ground on a testing track, so he has plenty going for him,
especially if he can learn to settle better in the early part of his
races.
Another lightly-raced contender, Tom
George’s 6-year-old gelding Some Buckle (18/1) was only beaten a
short head by Glingerburn at Doncaster on his penultimate start and,
with the winner now officially rated 152 by the BHA, looks ‘thrown
in’ off a mark off 135, despite his novice status. The son of St.
Leger winner Milan could find no extra in the closing stages when
fifth, beaten 7½ lengths, behind Ordo Ab Chao over 2 miles 4½
furlongs at Cheltenham six weeks ago but, dropping back in distance,
is so attractively weighted on his return to handicap company that he
cannot be ignored.
Having somewhat pooh-poohed the chance
of last week’s Grimthorpe Chase winner, Wayward Prince, I have
reminded myself of the ‘glorious uncertainty’ of racing and will
be, ahem, a little more circumspect in future. Anyway, this week’s
three against the field are, in order of preference, Some Buckle
(18/1 with Bet365), Meadowcroft Boy (33/1 generally available) and
Raven’s Tower (40/1 generally available). Good luck!
