I can’t believe it’s Cheltenham next week. Where has the season gone? It’s flown by!

Saturday at Sandown

The Imperial Cup (14:25) meeting at Sandown is always the Saturday before Cheltenham and in years gone by there have been some great horses winning it. For years and years, you’d just look at what the Pipes were running, they used to target this race.

If they didn’t, you’d look at what the Irish were sending over. Peter Fahey sent over Surprise Package to win last year and he’s sending over Zoffany Bay  this year. He ran to finish second at Ascot off the back of a huge layoff last time and runs off the same mark again, so he shouldn’t be too far away.

Neither should Man O Work , who is another Irish-trained runner. He’s caught the eye on a couple of occasions this season and was well fancied at Leopardstown last time, but he tipped up early on.

The EBF Final (13:50) has thrown up some good winners, especially over the last few years.

You need a horse with a little bit in hand, who can clearly stay, and the Twiston-Davies Cuthbert Dibble  fits that bill. He won well when he was stepped up to 2m4f last time.

It looks as though Dan Skelton’s Etalon  could be on a good mark.

So too, could Off To A Flyer  for the Joe Tizzard. They’ll both stay well, and both look to have plenty in hand on their current ratings.

Sunday at Limerick

On Sunday, I think the Double Green of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede could have a couple of winners in Ireland. They could get off to a flyer with Surac in the opener at Limerick. He ran well there the last day before making a mistake at the last.

Lily Du Berlais looks to be the best horse in the Kingsfurze Novice. She’s run really well on all of her start this season, including in a Grade 2 on her first start over hurdles last time. I think she’s pretty smart, too.

Drop The Anchor was a real eye-catcher when he an at Navan last time on what was his first run of the season. He’s a strong traveller with plenty of pace, too. He won the Irish November Handicap at the back-end of last season on the flat and I think he’s more than up to winning this race under Simon Torrens.

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