Racecards
15:05 Sandown Park
Sunderlands Imperial Cup Hurdle (Showcase Handicap) (Class B)
- 17 Runners
- Distance: 2m 110y
- Going: Soft, Heavy in places
Tikram
28- Form P40143
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey Mr J E Moore
in touch, hard ridden and no extra from 3 out
- Form 4-10143
- Age 6
- Weight 11-11
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey D Elsworth
soon clear chasing leader, ridden and weakened before last
- Form 11-0501
- Age 7
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer T Walsh
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
always behind and mistake 3 out
Korelo (FR)
21- Form 053141
- Age 5
- Weight 11-6
held up in mid-division, driven approaching, stayed on 2 out, under pressure between last 2, led narrowly last, driven clear
- Form 24000P
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
held up in rear, no chance when eased before last
- Form 0-P0020
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer M C Pipe
- Jockey T Scudamore
behind, stayed on under pressure between last 2, but no danger
Hawadeth
49- Form 2-32532
- Age 8
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer V R A Dartnall
- Jockey J Culloty
in touch until weakened and struggling from 5th
- Form 32-06F4
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
mid-division, ridden and stayed on under pressure approaching 2 out, took 2nd flat, no chance with winner
Dancing Bay
12- Form 2F-141
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
mid-division, weakened before 2 out
- Form 6203F0
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
mid-division, weakened 3 out
Lawz (IRE)
33- Form 00-0331
- Age 9
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer C J Mann
- Jockey N D Fehily
led at good pace and soon clear with one other rival, ridden approaching 2 out, narrowly headed last, no extra flat
Janidou (FR)
27- Form 30-0003
- Age 7
- Weight 10-8
- Trainer A L T Moore
- Jockey D J Casey
held up and behind, no impression after 3 out
- Form 112322
- Age 7
- Weight 10-7
held up, headway after 3 out, ridden and weakened after 2 out, pulled up before last
- Form 002200
- Age 10
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer D R C Elsworth
- Jockey Mr O Nelmes
always behind, tailed off 3 out
Mercato (FR)
21- Form 3U5210
- Age 7
- Weight 10-7
chased clear leaders, still pressing leaders between last 2, weakened after last
In depth
Verdict
No prizes for originality but, such is Martin Pipe's domination of this race in recent seasons, it is impossible to get away from the quartet of his runners that remain at the overnight stage from the multiple entry at the five-day stage. Korelo, the chosen mount of Tony McCoy, has to be the selection. Impressive when beating Chopneyev at Ascot on his handicap debut last month, the son of Cadoudal has been raised 13lbs for that success, but that seems fair and he is taken to follow up. Useful flat recruit Canada looks the best of Pipe's other runners and has to be respected of his light weight but the main danger to the selection may prove to be Nicky Henderson's Dancing Bay. Another useful ex-Flat horse, the son of Sauve Dancer has done little wrong since switched to the winter game and, with ground conditions to suit, he has every chance of what looks a decent mark for his handicap debut. Topweight Tikram looks plenty high enough in the handicap now, along with Hawadeth and Brooklyn's Gold, while Talarive may again have to settle for minor honours.