Pipe set for Imperial rule - again

THE Paddy Power Imperial Cup at Sandown has become something of a Pipe family benefit over recent years and the current master of Pond House has two leading contenders for glory in today’s renewal.

Martin Pipe trained no less than six winners of the valuable contest when he was at the helm, and the passing of the baton to his son David has not stopped the run with Gaspara and Ashkazar having taken the last two renewals.

This year Pipe runs general market leader Mr Thriller, unbeaten in two starts in Britain, as well as Seven Is My Number, who makes his seasonal reappearance in the race under a feather-weight.