SANDOWN PARK 14:25

Non Runners: SOARING GLORY (IRE), SALSADA (IRE). Hurdles: 7. Race Distance Adjustment: +30 yds

Time: 4m 10.4s Closing Sectional: (3f): 52s (89.6%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 125%, Betfair SP 103.6%

The final flight in the back straight was omitted due to the state of the ground

A typically competitive renewal of the Imperial Cup on paper, though a good pace on holding ground proved too much for most and half the field pulled up in the straight, stamina very much the order of the day so far as the winner was concerned.

ICEO (FR) had clearly been laid out for this, off 2 months since his encouraging return, and he proved better than ever in a race run ideally for him, unlikely to take his chance at Cheltenham (entered in County Hurdle and Martin Pipe) but sure to be of interest again at this level, particularly up in trip; held up, steady headway leaving back straight, shaken up approaching 2 out, chased leader approaching last, led when not fluent there, kept on well run-in, ridden out.

KNICKERBOCKERGLORY (IRE) back over hurdles, ran well after 4 months off, just pressing on a bit too soon and leaving himself vulnerable to a late challenge; led, shaken up entering straight, kicked clear approaching 2 out, headed last, no extra late on.

PLAYFUL SAINT (FR) continued his good run of form, in a race which played to his strengths, surely ready for a try over further before long; held up, effort entering straight, chased leaders approaching last, kept on.

FINE CASTING (IRE) back down in trip, was suited by the emphasis on stamina and ran well in a better race than he's contested of late; tracked pace, shaken up entering straight, hung right before 2 out, disputed second there, not quicken, plugged on run-in.

MONVIEL (IRE) ran creditably in the face of strong support, though he seemed beaten fair and square back under a more prominent ride, a couple of others ridden similarly ahead of him at the line; close up, shaken up entering straight, chased leader between last 2, one paced.

KELLAHEN (GER) ran to a similar level as last time, again below the level of his second in a lesser race at Wetherby; held up, effort straight, stayed on, made little impression.

HARDY DU SEUIL (FR) wasn't disgraced, on paper at least, though he found it hard going from a fair way out; off pace, labouring leaving back straight, plugged on.

DJELO (FR) wasn't disgraced but never posed a treat; dropped out, shaken up straight, plugged on, made no impression.

WESTERN ZEPHYR (IRE) making handicap debut, ran poorly ridden differently in a first-time hood; waited with, shaken up leaving back straight, pulled up before last.

ZOFFANY BAY (IRE) went backwards from his reappearance 3 weeks previously, that effort having come after a long absence; off pace, labouring end of back straight, pulled up 2 out.

PUNCTUATION can have a line put through this run, his chance ended through no fault of his own; soon steadied, headway entering straight, ridden when badly hampered before 2 out, pulled up before last.

ROYALE MARGAUX (FR) had plenty on in a race this competitive and wasn't able to show her form back over hurdles; tracked pace, shaken up entering straight, soon done with, pulled up before last.

MAN O WORK (IRE) has shown his effectiveness on testing ground but still failed to give his running; in touch, pushed along fifth, labouring leaving back straight, pulled up 2 out.

GIVEGA (FR) looked to have plenty going for him on handicap debut, well backed accordingly, but he proved amiss; close up, not settle fully, pushed along fifth, weakened quickly home turn, pulled up 2 out, bled.

LIGHTLY SQUEEZE found this too competitive, even more so than last time; patiently ridden, hampered third, labouring straight, pulled up before last.

METIER (IRE) goes well in the mud but just wasn't on song, his recent hurdles record hit and miss; in touch, ridden entering straight, weakened 2 out, pulled up last.