Warbler out to defy 336–day absence in Imperial Cup
The meeting needs to survive a 7.30am inspection and will no doubt be run in very testing conditions if getting the go-ahead.
But if any horse can win today's feature and go on to further success at the Cheltenham Festival, they will be in line for a £75,000 bonus.
Without a run this season, Gary Moore’s Dusky Warbler will have to defy a 336-day absence and will be joined in the race by stablemate Swift Sailor.
Kempton winner Romany Prince is next in the list, followed by Irish challenger Farmer Brown, a winner at Leopardstown on Hennessy Gold Cup day.
Pat Hughes’ charge holds entries in the Coral Cup and Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle next week and connections will surely have their eyes on the bonus.
The Irish challenge today is supplemented by two runners from Philip Rothwell’s yard in the shape of Loughanelteen and Stoneraker.
David Pipe has two runners in a race in which his father had a fantastic record, headed by novice Gaspara, with Lunar Crystal the other Pond House representative.
Venetia Williams has Border Castle and Flying Falcon while champion trainer Paul Nicholls relies on Forest Green.
Because Sandown was unraceable yesterday, Rothwell’s two runners were given a spin at Epsom in preparation for this weekend’s test.
“Both my horses are down in Epsom galloping because it’s impossible to gallop in Sandown this morning,” said Rothwell.
“All being well, please God, the meeting will be on tomorrow.
“The two horses are in good form, but I find it very hard to see what the handicapper has done in the sense that Stoneraker has won his last three races yet has only changed 1lb in weight from Ireland to England, while Loughanelteen has gone up 7lb and he’s had no good form for two years.
“But he is in very good form and has had his wind done. We were very impressed with his last run and we are very hopeful that the two horses will give a very good account of themselves.”
Farmer Brown showed he could act on testing conditions when winning at Leopardstown a month ago.
“He won really well at Leopardstown and it was very testing ground. I thought he was a good-ground horse but he was able to handle it,” said Hughes.
“Cheltenham is a possibility but we’ll see how he is after Saturday.”
