Talking Horses: Lively Citizen can lift the Imperial Cup at generous odds

It is always a good idea to warm up before serious exercise and the 22-runner Imperial Cup at Sandown Park on Saturday is an ideal way to stretch the betting tendons and sinews ahead of the Cheltenham Festival next week.

Balco Coastal, runner-up in a Grade Two novice event last time out, has emerged as favourite and has obvious scope for improvement after just three starts over timber. Nicky Henderson’s form is a slight concern though, as his yard has not sent out a winner since mid-February, and an opening mark of 134 looks no more than fair.

Dan Skelton and Paul Nicholls, successful in the last two renewals, also have fancied runners but the market’s focus on big-name yards allows others with decent chances to creep in at generous odds.

Lively Citizen (2.25),the star of David Jeffreys’ small yard near Evesham, is a prime example. He is two-from-three since 7lb claimer Archie Bellamy took over in the saddle, and the race in between was a non-event as his saddle slipped early on. He is just 4lb higher after another battling success at Leicester in February and with many firms offering six places, he looks an excellent each-way bet at around 20-1.

Wolverhampton 1.31 It all went wrong from an early stage for Asadjumeirah at Lingfield last time but his previous winning form at Newcastle looks strong and at around 7-1, he deserves another chance.

Sandown Park 1.50 Knappers Hill was doing all his best work in the closing stages of the Betfair Hurdle last time and this step up in trip looks sure to suit.

Wolverhampton 2.05 There is little to choose between La Tihaty and Hafeet Alain on their best form so at the likely odds, Ed Walker’s six-year-old has to be the pick at around 5-1.

Wolverhampton 2.40 Several of these have run