Full field for Imperial Cup but Langer Dan and Anyharminasking not declared

Last year's winner Langer Dan and ante-post favourite Anyharminasking were among the notable absentees among a full field of 22 runners for Saturday's Paddy Power Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle (2.25).

Langer Dan, who took this race last year for Dan Skelton before chasing home Galopin Des Champs in the Martin Pipe at the Cheltenham Festival six days later, has run only once this season when failing to beat a rival at Taunton last month.

With the traditional £50,000 sponsor's bonus for winning the Imperial Cup followed by a race at the festival not on offer this year, Langer Dan will head straight to Cheltenham as he attempts to go one better in this year's Martin Pipe, for which he is the 4-1 joint-favourite. Skelton is still healthily represented in Sandown's £100,000 Grade 3 event, with Lucky One the choice of brother Harry and stable amateur Tristan Durrell riding Calico.

Meanwhile Anyharminasking, who beat Constitution Hill in a point-to-point and is unbeaten in handicap hurdles, was taken out with the Jonjo O'Neill-trained five-year-old also holding a festival entry in the County Hurdle, although he will need a bit of luck to get a run at number 44 in the weights.

Balco Coastal: heads the betting after declarationsCredit: Edward Whitaker

In the absence of the ante-post market leaders, the Nicky Henderson-trained Balco Coastal heads the betting, and despite the Seven Barrows trainer being without a winner in 18 days, he has a strong chance here in the race he won in 2009 with Dave's Dream. The six-year-old enters handicap company for the first time and drops back in trip after a solid effort in a Cheltenham Grade 2 last time.

Paul Nicholls landed this race in 2019 with the Johnny de la Hey-owned Malaya and the same connections will be looking for a repeat with Samarrive, who is the choice of Harry Cobden. The Owners Group-owned Miranda and Hacker Des Places complete the champion trainer's squad.

Surprise Package is the sole Irish-trained runner in the field with Emmett Mullins' Carrarea scratched, while Lively Citizen will hope to land his long-term target and a valuable prize for David Jeffreys.

This will be the largest field since 2015, with the Alastair Ralph-trained The Grey Falco the sole horse to be eliminated.

Imperial Cup runners and riders

Miranda Mr Ben Bromley (7)
Samarrive Harry Cobden
OnemorefortheroadJack Quinlan
Suprise PackageJames Bowen
Mick Maestro Charlie Hammond
Balco CoastalNico de Boinville
Hacker Des Places Angus Cheleda (5)
Up For Parol Gavin Sheehan
Calico Mr Tristan Durrell (7)
Transatlantic Joshua Moore
Hystery Bere Aidan Coleman
Zambezi Fix Sean Bowen
Current MoodIsabel Williams (3)
HowdyalikemenowAdam Wedge
Mr Grey Sky David Bass
Lucky One Harry Skelton
KihavahKevin Brogan (3)
Lebowski Richard Patrick
Hydroplane Jockey tbc
Lively Citizen Archie Bellamy (7)
Monviel Tom O'Brien
Grisbi De Berce Jonathan Burke

Paddy Power Imperial Cup (Saturday, March 12, Sandown)

Paddy Power: 9-2 Balco Coastal, 8 Hystery Bere, 9 Onemorefortheroad, 10 Mr Grey Sky, Samarrive, 12 Lucky One, 14 Kihavah, Monviel, 16 Current Mood, Hacker Des Places, Lively Citizen, Miranda, 20 Surprise Package, Up For Parol, 25 Calico, Grisbi De Berce, Mick Maestro, The Grey Falco, Zambezi Fix, 33 Hydroplane, Transatlantic, 40 Howdyalikemenow, Lebowski

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