Horse Racing Betting – Prince Represents Value in Imperial Test

Considering the Paddy Power Imperial Cup at Sandown is always a tremendously competitive handicap hurdle on paper, favourites have had a particularly impressive record in recent seasons. In the last 10 years, five market leaders have been first past the post and, of course, there’s a big bonus awaiting the winner if they go on to success in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham next week. That all bodes well for Qaspal, who still holds an entry at the Festival and is probably improving more quickly than the handicapper can reassess him. Not only that, Philip Hobbs‘ gelding has already won at Sandown and will again have Tony McCoy in the saddle. With Qaspal (a general 9-2) only carrying 10st3lbs, the partnership should take all the beating, although there aren’t many obvious front-runners in the 26-strong field which is a slight cause for concern. Ruby Walsh rides Pepe Simo (7-1 with Skybet, Totesport and Victor Chandler) for champion trainer Paul Nicholls. But he has a lot of weight for a novice and I’d be just as interested in stablemate Pistolet Noir at more than three times that price (a general 25-1). Still only a four-year-old, connections paid a handsome sum to buy him out of Nick Williams‘ yard after he won at Cheltenham in November and he has to be of interest in his first handicap off a mark of 137. Another relative lightweight that appeals at a big price is Cheshire Prince. A regular winner on the flat, the Desert Prince gelding has taken well to hurdles and has already scored twice at Huntingdon (latest success has worked out well) this season. He appeared to find two and a half miles beyond him at Doncaster last time but was still far from disgraced and a return to a stiff two miles is very much in his favour. As he hails from an unfashionable yard, bookmakers may have been guilty of underestimating his chances and I’ll be having a little bit of the 33-1 that Skybet, Betfred and William Hill have priced him up at. The sponsors, by the way, are guaranteeing you’ll be paid at the best price if taking their current odds on the race.