THE WEEKS IN the run-up to Cheltenham are a strange lot. The actual racing that takes place is usually forgotten given the hype and debate that pervade the build-up to the festival, and it’s easier to fill your mind with thoughts of who’ll be getting up Prestbury Hill with more to give rather than who’ll stumble home in a hunters-chase in Leicester.

With all the best horses safely in their boxes at home readying themselves for the big championship races and handicaps, the fare in the week before can be dire. Thankfully Sandown has a card to serve as a little appetiser before next week’s feast.

The Imperial strikes back

The Imperial Cup is the highlight of the card, and while the race should be a low-key affair given its proximity to Cheltenham, the fact that Paddy Power offer a £75,000 bonus to the winner should they follow up at any race at the festival means trainers take it seriously.

The current favourite is Arrayan, who looked set to complete a hat-trick last time out only for his rider’s foot to slip out of an iron and part company with the horse. His trainer David Pipe has an excellent record in the race, he or his father have been responsible for five of the last ten winners of the event – so it is no surprise that a runner of his if the talking point of the race.

However, Arrayan has been extremely hard by the handicapper; his maiden victory came off a mark of 93 while now he competes off 131. It may be a step too far for the progressive animal. Pipe’s other runner; Ronaldo Des Mottes may represent better value.

After a fine second to Get Me Out of Here in last season’s Totesport Trophy off a 7lb lower mark, connections considered the gelding progressive enough to contest the Rabbobank Champion Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival. While he ultimately disappointed, the fact that he was sent off at 10/1 foe Grade One hints at the esteem in which he is held. His seasonal reappearance was a remote third to Mille Chief at Wincanton, but it should put him spot on for today’s encounter. It is interesting that stable jockey Timmy Murphy sides with Ronaldo Des Mottes ahead of the ante post favourite. He will have top weight to contend with, but if he gives his running he has an excellent each-way chance.

From the top-weight to the bottom-weight; Old Way. The charge of Venetia Williams sneaks in as the bottom weight, but is forced to run 2lbs out of the handicap. While this is obviously far from ideal, the former inmate of Andre Fabre in France has a progressive profile and will surely in time prove to be far better than his current rating. Having been off the track since September 2009, Old Way needed his first when coming home fifth; but in his last two runs he has hinted that the ability he possessed on the flat is still there. A close second at Towester was followed by a gutsy win at Hereford where he triumphed despite not being favoured by the run of the race. He is learning all the time, and now having only his fourth run over hurdles he has been under-rated by the bookmakers.  The prevailing good ground should suit the son of Gold Away, and it would be no surprise to see him trouble the judges off a feather weight.

Verdict

A bit of a minefield of a race; as you would expect in a 24-runner handicap hurdle. But each-way chances are given to Ronaldo Des Mottes (16/1) to further maintain the Pipe family’s strong hold on the race, while Old Way may have been overlooked by the bookmakers and may place at 20/1.