Sandown Saturday

Paddy Power Imperial Cup

THERE has been much talk in recent times about the domination of Irish-trained horses in Cheltenham Festival handicaps, so perhaps it’s a little surprising that the only Irish runner in the Imperial Cup was allowed to start at 20/1.

That horse was Peter Fahey’s Suprise Package, who lived up to his name by romping home in the hands of James Bowen, his winning margin over runner-up Lively Citizen (D J Jeffreys/Archie Bellamy) a gaping nine lengths.

Rated 135 by the BHA handicapper, Surprise Package probably needed to win this in order to get a run in the County Hurdle, and he did that in style, with the £56,270 prize money a generous bonus.

On the subject of bonuses, there used to be quite a lucrative one for horses who could win this and then go on to score in handicap company at Cheltenham, but that is not in place this year.

Owner Paul Leech only has two horses in training, but with the penalty Suprise Package picks up for this, US-based Leech can look forward to seeing his entire string in action on Gold Cup day, with Freedom To Dream declared for the Martin Pipe. The decision to run at Sandown was his, as Fahey explained. “The way I thought about the race was the when the initial entries came out for Cheltenham, we were thinking of the County Hurdle.

“Then we said Suprise Package might not get in, but we would have a horse tuned up and ready to go. Paul said why sit on the fence and wait - if we think we are going to run a big race in the County Hurdle, come here first.”

THE Grade 3 European Breeders’ Fund Paddy Power “National Hunt” Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Final, to give it its full title, was expected to go to Paul Nicholls, and while most of the expert opinion suggested that Knappers Hill was the one to beat, it was the lesser-fancied stable companion Complete Unknown who took the laurels under Lorcan Williams.

Victory for the 11/1 shot came as a surprise to some, it wasn’t unexpected in the Nicholls household with the trainer’s daughter Megan revealing that her father had been bullish about his prospects as far back as the autumn, nominating this race as his long-term target, and confident he would win.

The winner was always giving Williams an armchair ride, and moved smoothly to the front at the second last, with only Marble Sands (Fergal O’Brien/Paddy Brennan) looking a danger, but the grey made an error at that flight which handed the advantage to the winner, who passed the post a comfortable three-length winner.

Dubrovnik Harry (Harry Fry/Sean Bowen) and Mumbo Jumbo (Emma Lavelle/Tom Bellamy) stayed on from off the pace to fill the minor places, but neither posed a serious win threat. Favourite Knappers Hill was reported to be unsuited by the ground, which rode much softer than had been forecast at declaration time.

This race has a reputation for throwing up promising chasers of the future, and while it has had a slightly mixed record of late, it has been won by some good sorts, notably the three-time Cheltenham Festival winner Alberta’s Run.

EBF Mares’

Nicky Henderson had the disappointment of seeing Imperial Cup favourite Balco Coast flop badly, but the gloom didn’t last long.

The Seven Barrows trainer produced a new young star in the listed bumper as Luccia (Nico de Boinville), a daughter of The Gurkha, travelled powerfully to register a 17-length success from Eabha Grace (Willie Mullins/Johnny Burke) in the Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.

The winner is a four-year-old, so was in receipt of weight, but she coped admirably with the soft ground, and it was impossible not to be impressed by her.

Luccia had looked a good prospect when landing a newcomers’ event at Warwick on her debut, but was stepping up markedly in class here, so this must go down as a big improvement.

She was taking on previous winners here, including a couple at listed level, but she looked in a different league as she kicked away up the Sandown hill, and will be aimed at the Grade 2 Nickel Coin Mares’ Bumper at Aintree next month.

Mullenbeg, beaten favourite here, has also been touted for Aintree, but her hopes took a knock as she could finish only fourth, seeming to find the test too much on the ground.

“It’s lovely because we have had the mare and the brother, Hooper” said Henderson as he welcomed her back.

“That ground didn’t seem to bother her at all as I thought that would blunt her speed, which she has got. I would imagine she would go to Aintree for that mares’ bumper there, then we will put her away.”

The listed novices’ handicap chase has a rich history, having been moved from the Cheltenham Festival, and although it didn’t attract nearly as big or strong a field as was the case in its old slot, it was still an entertaining contest, in which Killer Kane (Colin Tizzard/Brendan Powell) came out on top despite hanging badly left in the closing stages.

The 5/1 chance crossed runner-up Flic Ou Voyou (Paul Nicholls/Bryony Frost), but he won by a length and a quarter, and while there was an enquiry, the result was allowed to stand. Whether the tongue strap has helped or not I’m not sure” said Joe Tizzard about a horse who has won both starts with the aid used.

“I was slightly worried [about softer ground], but it was a good pot to aim for and he has done it nicely. He can go to Aintree now and run in the three-mile handicap on better ground there. I think that track on good ground back to three miles will suit him.”