Race of the Day / Timeform / 10 March 2012 /

Timeform provide a runner-by-runner guide to the Imperial Cup at Sandown on Saturday, with the 2012 renewal looking as competitive as ever...

Sire de Grugy landed a Grade 2 among his 3 wins as a novice and has improved again this term, fourth in Betfair Hurdle before scoring at Taunton 4 days later from Devil To Pay. Could go close.

Torphichen won Exeter chase on third start for Alan King in December. Has followed Celestial Halo home in 2 runs over hurdles since, though jumping went to pieces last time at Haydock. Others preferred.

Pateese justified strong support in C&D handicap in November. Not been in same form since after rise in weights and looks vulnerable in race as competitive as this.

Ted Spread was smart on Flat up to 1¾m for Mark Tompkins. Good efforts in warm races first 2 starts over hurdles before hacking up in tongue tie in 17f Taunton handicap. Can improve again and is a massive player.

Ciceron is a strong traveller who landed gamble in C&D handicap at the turn of the year. Race not run to suit in Betfair Hurdle last time, and has won off this mark before.

Master of Arts made a taking start over hurdles at Doncaster 3 years ago before well held in Triumph. Ticking over on the Flat (very useful performer) in 2011 and been well backed this week. Clearly of interest.

Swift Lord has some strong hurdles form, signing off last season with impressive success at Hereford (17f). Absent a year, but wouldn't be surprising to see fair bit of improvement now handicapping.

Art Professor returned with pair of good placed efforts before slightly laboured showing at Ascot last month. Not badly treated on pick of form and likely to be staying on when others have cried enough.

Celtus showed useful form in juvenile hurdles in France, and third to Sire de Grugy in Kempton Grade 2 starting out for new yard a year ago. Back over hurdles after disappointing chase bow in November.

Zanir was successful in France for Tom George over 2¼m, and hasn't shaped as badly as results in handicaps would suggest for current yard. Cheekpieces now on but this is a tough ask.

Johns Spirit is a bumper winner who has made good start over hurdles, winning at Stratford (2m) and improving behind Chesil Beach Boy at Wincanton last time. Chance cheekpieces could bring about more improvement.

Pascha Bere is a useful hurdler who was no match for Ted Spread at Taunton last time, running right up to form. Sixth in this in 2010 off current mark and will do well to better that position.

First In The Queue has put up improved efforts since winning 2m Ffos Las novice in June, but put in his place in competitive handicaps the last twice and looks up against it here.

Chesil Beach Boy is lightly raced for one his age and thriving at present, reeling off a hat-trick of 2m handicaps at Wincanton. Deserves this shot in better company, and looks the type to make further progress.

Paintball created good impression when taking 17f Cheltenham handicap last spring and good efforts first 2 starts this term. Been given break since finishing weakly in December.

Devil to Pay has a progressive profile in handicap hurdles, chasing home Sire de Grugy on latest start at Taunton. Could have more to offer and will appreciate likelihood of a well-run race.

Ascendant won 21f handicap hurdle for Howard Johnson in April and seller for Paul Nicholls in December. Second in jumpers' bumper last month and likely to find this too competitive.

Lucaindubai finished fourth to Alarazi in this 12 months ago and 4 lb higher this time after winning 2m Kempton handicap in January. Not given hard time in Grade 2 latest but improvement needed.

Monetary Fund largely performed with credit in some competitive handicaps for Nicky Henderson last term. Possibly needed run behind Ted Spread on return and 3 lb lower now. Trip/ground fine.

Grafite made all in 2m Lingfield handicap on second start for yard in January. Poor run at Carlisle last time and new mark probably beyond him, not least in race like this.

Nampour was right back to his best on third run for yard when chasing home easy winner Balgarry at Newbury last weekend. Just 4 lb higher here and claims are obvious providing this isn't coming too soon.

Ile De Re was a useful Flat performer who has taken to hurdling well, showing a good attitude to win 2m novice events at Huntingdon and over C&D. Can do even better now handicapping.

El Dancer Useful hurdler/chaser at best but not close to that level this season after 17-month absence. 20 lb lower then when well beaten in this in 2010 and blinkers back on.

Rowan Tiger was fair for Jim Boyle on the Flat and got the job done over hurdles at the third attempt at Bangor (17f). Subsequent efforts suggest he'll prove up against it in this.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Ted Spread
2. Master of Arts
3. Nampour

Timeform Verdict: As competitive as ever, though a couple of potential blots on the handicap lurk in the shape of Ted Spread and Master of Arts. The latter has been notably well backed through the week, but Ted Spread was a smart performer on the Flat and it's the Paul Nicholls-trained rival who gets the vote. Dangers are plentiful, including Nampour after his excellent second at Newbury last Saturday.

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