Sky Bet will be paying five places instead of four on the Paddy Power Imperial Cup – the highlight of four races shown live by Channel 4 from Sandown on Saturday. The extra place offer goes live from 4pm on Friday with 9/2 favourite Qaspal one of a host of runners chasing a £75,000 bonus from the sponsors if following up in any race at the Cheltenham Festival.
Qaspal will get a 5lb penalty if winning the first leg for trainer Philip Hobbs, but could still struggle to make the cut for his Festival entries in the County Hurdle or Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Hurdle.
Matt Doyle of Sky Bet told Bettingpro: ‘Qaspal looks to have been plotted up and he is one we want to keep side with JP McManus withdrawing his other entries to ensure his novice crept in at the foot of the weights.’
Paddy Power Imperial Cup – Sky Bet betting:
9/2 Qaspal, 6/1 Pepe Simo, 8/1 Aather, 9/1 Tocca Ferro, 12/1 Caravel, Press The Button, 14/1 Oldrik, 20/1 Pascha Bere, Tender Falcon, 22/1 Danis Girl, 25/1 Stradbrook, Pistolet Noir, Callisto Moon, Katie’s Tutor, El Dancer, Treaty Flyer, Dontpaytheferryman, Numide, 33/1 Tilt, Cheshire Prince, Chaninbar, Border Castle, Kanad, Sambulando
Each-way terms: ¼ odds first 5 places, from 4pm Friday