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/ Adam Brookes / 09 March 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Neil King's Cheshire Prince has each-way prospects in the Imperial Cup
"Cheshire Prince, who confirmed that his sixth at Aintree on his penultimate start was a promising run when winning at Sandown last time, has ran some of his best races in big fields and has realistic place claims."
The sponsors of the Imperial Cup offer the carrot of a £75,000 bonus should the winner go onto win a race at the Festival, but Saturday's handicap hurdle at Sandown is highly prestigious in its own right. Timeform's Adam Brookes looks over the field...
The betting reflects how competitive the race currently appears, but with Nicky Henderson suggesting that at least some of his four fancied runners might take up other engagements, prices of the market leaders are subject to change.
The favourite as things stand is the progressive Aegean Dawn, who is unbeaten over hurdles and produced his best performance last time when beating Mille Chief by four and a half lengths at Ascot. Aegean Dawn received 17 lb from Mille Chief that day and has gone up 26 lb as a result, so whilst he's likely to improve further, he'll have to in order to defy such a hefty rise.
The trainer has also has Swinton Hurdle winner Eradicate entered. However, Eradicate might just be handicapped up to his best at present, as for all that he has run well in two similar races this season, he's rather more exposed than a few in the field.
Owen Glendower has had only three starts over hurdles and remains open to progress, whilst dual novice chaser winner Giorgio Quercus is even more of an unknown quantity having not raced over hurdles since March 2009.
Martin Pipe won the Imperial Cup six times, collecting the bonus twice, and son David, who has won the race twice and landed the bonus with Gaspara in 2007, is doubly represented this year. Despite having gone up 12 lb for unseating in his last race, Arrayan had looked one of the most progressive handicap hurdlers around prior to that and has to be respected. The yard's other representative is Ronaldo des Mottes, who travelled well on his return behind Mille Chief in the Kingwell Hurdle, but will have to improve to concede weight to a number of improving horses.
Philip Hobbs won the race last year with Qaspal and the same horse is entered once more, despite not having had a race since. He has a 13 lb higher mark to contend with this year but remains unexposed and has to be considered. Stable-mate Pateese ran a game race on his first start in handicap company last time and should continue his progress with drying ground seemingly in his favour. However, he seemed to be comprehensively beaten by Via Galilei, who could take him on once more.
Via Galilei was impressive when winning the big handicap hurdle at Newbury on Saturday, producing a performance that marked him out as the one to beat in this race should he take his chance. Provided he's over his exertions, there is no reason why he shouldn't make his presence felt again as he's going to get the fast pace that suits his running style. Gary Moore also has Sire de Grugy entered, and he certainly has the ability to be very competitive in a race of this nature. However, he revelled in soft ground at Kempton last time and is unlikely to get those conditions on Saturday.
Alan King has two horses entered, but there's little doubt that his best chance is Trophy Hurdle fourth The Betchworth Kid. However, despite having the ability, he isn't a fault-free jumper and can often leave himself with a lot of ground to make up and, in such a competitive race, it isn't going to be easy for him.
Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has only a single entry, Tito Bustillo, who has just a fair chance of being involved. With speed his forte, it's difficult to imagine a large field suiting him, and he disappointed when well-fancied for the County Hurdle at last year's Festival.
The Irish last won the Imperial Cup in 2006 with Victram and are set to send two horses over at this stage. However, Prince of Fire, who has largely been seen novice chasing this year with little effect, and Alpine Eagle, who doesn't appear to be well-handicapped, might struggle to add to that victory.
Of the other horses close up in the betting, the maiden Fiulin has the most to prove and has never raced in a handicap. Whilst he could prove well-suited to such a race, his trainer couldn't have found a more competitive one to start him off in.
For those who look for each-way value, Cheshire Prince, who confirmed that his sixth at Aintree on his penultimate start was a promising run when winning at Sandown last time, has ran some of his best races in big fields and has realistic place claims. With the drying ground likely to place more emphasis on his speed, he should not be underestimated.
The free-going Alarazi looks to have a chance on ratings, as does Rebel Dancer, whilst a revitalised Numide was almost back to his best last time, which would give him place prospects should he run. Old Way is reasonably well-fancied according to the market, but is going to find this very different to the novice hurdles he's been running in, whilst Kangaroo Court has to put two falls over fences well behind him.
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