Go Dante Aiming For Record Third Imperial Cup Success
Go Dante will bid for a slice of history at Sandown on Saturday by ending up being the very first three-time winner of the Betfair Imperial Cup.
Olly Murphy's has actually claimed narrow triumphes in the last 2 editions of the distinguished handicap, which is the standard highlight the Saturday before the Cheltenham Festival gets under method.
Betfair are providing a ₤ 100,000 bonus to the connections of the winner must the exact same horse go on to win any race at Cheltenham next week, however Go Dante does not hold any Festival engagements, with Murphy focusing on Saturday's prize for a horse who is 3 from 3 at Sandown however has dissatisfied on his last couple of trips at Windsor and Newbury.
"He's a few pounds greater than in 2015, but he loves the track and ideally with a little bit of luck in running he'll run well once again," said the Warren Chase handler.
"In his last number of runs they have actually gone really, extremely quick early on flat tracks and it hasn't matched him, so hopefully going back to a stiffer track will fit.
"It would be good to win for a third time. We know he likes the location and we're eagerly anticipating running him."
Go Dante in winning action at Sandown (John Walton/PA)
Murphy will have a 2nd string to his bow in the form of Fingle Bridge, who went back to the smaller obstacles to complete second at Warwick last month following 3 runs over fences.
Murphy added: "He's going to run too. He did too much at Warwick the last day, so we're dropping back in trip on a stiff track.
"He's certainly great horse with a big engine and hopefully a run in a handicap the last day will have sharpened him up once again. He ought to go there with a possibility."
Fingle Bridge is the joint top-rated horse along with the Dan Skelton-trained Knickerbockerglory in a 30-strong list of entries.
Other competitors include Ben Clarke's classy mare Ooh Betty, the JP McManus-owned Khrisma from Nicky Henderson's lawn, Chris Gordon's General Briar and Mondo Man, trained by the father-and-son partnership of Gary and Josh Moore.
Olly Murphy might also run two in the ₤ 80,000 European Breeders' Fund Betfair "National Hunt" Novices' Handicap Hurdle Final, with the respected Scorpio Rising set to be signed up with by stablemate Gee Force Flyer.
Scorpio Rising appears his greatest hope having actually won his last 3 races, with Masked Man (Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies), Gentleman Toboot (David Pipe) and Kaka's Cousin (Jonjo and AJ O'Neill) others in the mix for a fiercely-competitive heat.
Murphy stated: "Scorpio Rising looks progressive and I believe the track and trip and everything will suit him well.
"He's in really great kind, came out of Windsor well and hopefully he's enhancing.
"We 'd invite a bit more rain for Gee Force Flyer but the stiff track will match him well, he's feasibly handicapped and this race has been the prepare for a long period of time with him."