Capital gains for London Prize

London Prize stayed on strongly to run out a game winner of the Matchbook Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle at Sandown.

Fit from a confidence-boosting run on the Flat following a fall in his last race over hurdles, the Ian Williams-trained six-year-old put his speed to good use as he pulled away from his rivals on the run-in.

Darebin set sail for home over two out after Bigmartre had made the running, but he was reeled in by London Prize (10-1) and Fixe Le Kap.

And it was London Prize. ridden by Tom O'Brien, who proved the stronger to get the verdict by a length from the 5-1 favourite.

Darebin (25-1) was another three and a half lengths away in third.

O'Brien said: "London Prize is a lovely horse and I was delighted to get the call-up to ride him.

"He's very progressive and battled it out nicely."

The winning jockey added: "He is tough when he needs to be. "It is a gruelling hill, especially on that ground. There is more to come, fingers crossed. "He is quite an unexposed novice hurdler. He is improving and got the job done anyway. "I am sure Ian will campaign him well." Nicky Henderson said of the runner-up: "He has ran a very good race. "Unfortunately, the trouble is he loves soft ground and it has been a case of trying to find somewhere to go. "It is all about chasing next year for him but he proved he still has the ability."