Knickerbockerglory

For the second time in a row, in the Imperial Cup at Sandown on Saturday, Knickerbockerglory raced handily in a race in which the prominent racers were not favoured. In the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury last month, he raced in the front rank from early in a race in which the hold-up horses came to the fore. And in the Imperical Cup at Sandown on Saturday, he led from flagfall, he only wilted at the second last flight. The pace was strong, his finishing speed was 93.96% of overall speed, but he still kept on well enough to retain fifth place behind Go Dante and Faivoir, racing off a handicap rating of 135, 6lb higher than the mark off which he finished second in the race last year.

Dan Skelton’s horse is eight and he has raced 12 times over hurdles, he is not obviously unexposed, but there could still be a big handicap hurdle in him if he can get to lead at a moderate or sedate pace. He is at his best on soft ground, so he will remain of interest if the ground comes up on the soft side at any of the spring meetings.

Sandown, 9^th March 2024