The Paddy Power Imperial Cup at Sandown,

five places with some firms!  Get on!

Presenting Ace is a massive gamble in the first race at Sandown courtesy of Pricewise, yet like Anthony Bromley the Morning Line guest I have a preference for AIKIDEAU who has been a revelation since stepping up in trip.  I just hope there is enough juice left in the ground for him!  Still he is definite value now the bookmakers have to field on all the other runners thanks to money on David Pipe’s horse.   Racing UK’s very own Nick Luck has put up Martys Mission, and he is one of my picks also.  Delve into his form a little deeper and seek out the good runs over hurdles, when it was evident chasing was his game.  He ran a solid race after a year off at Sandown and he is back to frank the form.   Roll the sleeves up time as the battle for favouritism could have already been won by Ted Spread, but we shall see.  Master Of Arts has been off for 1093 days over hurdles and 168 on the flat, but eyes are fixed firmly on the Bonus prize of £75,000.  While I am trying to work out why AP McCoy’s Johns Spirit is 20-1 or even bigger, first five places can’t be missed nor can each-way Torphichen.   Nap of the day belongs to Helium, who was going to be my Imperial Cup selection until he chose the other option of heading to Ayr for the 4.35 today.  Top weight shouldn’t anchor him as his run at Ascot behind Bourne was eyecatching, he stayed on so well. 
Last night and through the morning there has been money for New Year’s Eve in the Bumper on Wednesday at the Festival and Sir Des Champs for the Jewson, it is fun keeping an eye on things. 
My next blog will be Tuesday when I will be coming to you live from the Cheltenham Festival press room with all the news and live updates before heading to the betting ring for Channel 4, good luck today, and ready yourself for Tuesday.  The waiting is nearly over.... 

POINTERS   Eight of the last ten winners of the Imperial Cup were no older than 6   A P McCoy has won five of the last 14 Imperial Cups and today he rides Johns Spirit  Six of the last ten favourites have won the Imperial Cup   Eight of the last ten winners of the Imperial Cup finished in the first two last time out   The last eight Paddy Power Imperial Cup winners carried 10-13 or less 
All of the last ten winners Imperial Cup winners ran within 55 days of their last start 
The favourite has never won Sandown’s 3.50


 Good Luck today

Tanya