Cheshire Prince tipped as Sandown favourite

SANDOWN There are two cracking cards at Sandown and Wolverhampton respectively and the feature race at the Esher track, the Paddy Power Imperial Handicap Hurdle, looks a superb renewal, well up to the standard of recent affairs.

The well-fancied Qaspal has just about sneaked into the weights for Phillip Hobbs and he is undeniably the most progressive horse in the line up.

Qaspal hosed up at this track over two-and-a-half miles last time out from Rebecca's Choice following an equally impressive win over two miles at Kempton.

This drop back to minimum trip shouldn't prove to be an inconvenience.

It is more a question of standard of opposition combined with the 14lbs higher rating that has to be assessed.

Tender Falcon may be in the veteran stage, but his second to Beshabar at Ascot shows that the flame still burns bright and he is fairly weighted on a mark of 131.

The likes of Oldrik (good fifth in the Totesport Trophy) and Callisto Moon (looks to have been laid out for this) are also respected.

The Paul Nicholls-trained Pistolet Noir has had his detractors and while it is true to say he needs to brush up on his jumping to win in this class, he does possess the engine to go very close with a clear round.

However, in the end, I have fallen on the side of value here and finally plumped for a horse at a big price in the form of Cheshire Prince.

A really cracking novice, he looked to hold every chance at Doncaster last time out before weakening inside the final quarter mile.

This drop back in trip in what is likely to be a screaming pace should suit him down to the ground.

As far as the supporting races are concerned, Lifestyle should prove pretty hard to beat in the listed mares bumper at 3.40, while Minella Theatre can pay a huge compliment to RSA favourite Long Run by landing the 2.30 off a mark of 130.

WOLVERHAMPTON

Old Flipando can teach his younger rivals a lesson in running by taking the Lincoln Trial Handicap at 3.25.

He was a shock winner on his comeback last month and may hold the whip hand over the likes of Fanunalter and General Elliot.