Zoffany Bay flies flag for Fahey in Imperial Cup

“It would be a dream to go over and win it again. It was kind of the plan with this horse that if we had a good run and a bit of luck we would head over to Sandown. Please God the weather looks set to change and we get a bit of rain which would be a help for us.

“He’s in good form. He did a little bit of work at Navan racecourse on Sunday morning and he seems fresh and well, so it is all systems go to head on over.”

Last year Surprise Package followed up his winning exploits at the Esher venue by finishing a respectable sixth in the County Hurdle, but Fahey does not envisage Zoffany Bay following suit and taking up his engagement in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.

On the possibility of running at Cheltenham, Fahey continued: “I think it’s highly unlikely at the moment because there is a couple of nice pots in Ireland for him as well.

“But we won’t rule anything in or out and will see how we get on Saturday then make a plan with the lads at Pimlico (owners) what we are going to do with him.”

Gary Moore’s Givega is also 8/1 in the Betfair Imperial Cup betting odds on the back of his course-and-distance success last time, while the Lower Beeding handler could also be represented by Authorised Speed who has not been seen since a disappointing favourite over the track and trip in the Tolworth Hurdle.

Another Sandown scorer to note among the list of 30 possibles is Jamie Snowden’s Hardy Du Seuil, while Soul Icon has won his last five and attempts to defy a 10lb rise for Kieran Burke.

Soul Icon (here leading Danzini) will bid for a 6-timer in the @Betfair⁩ Imperial Cup, live on ⁦@itvracing⁩ & @RacingTV a week tomorrow, as long as ground is good ⁦@chamberlinsport⁩ ⁦@olibellracing⁩ ⁦@LeglockLuke⁩ ⁦@nickluck⁩ ⁦@LydiaHislop⁩ pic.twitter.com/2bgoBqCHw6

— Keiran Burke Racing (@KBurkeRacing) March 3, 2023

Charlie Longston’s Paramount and Dan Skelton’s Playful Saint are others to arrive on the back of a victory, with Skelton also represented in the entries by Knickerbockerglory and one-time hot juvenile prospect In This World who could return from 491 days off the track.

Betfair Imperial Cup betting odds

8/1 Givega, Iceo, Man O Work, Parramount, Zoffany Bay

10/1 Hardy du Seuil, Monviel, Playful Saint

12/1 Authorised Speed, Hystery Bere, In This World, Knickerbockerglory, Salsada, Samarrive, Soaring Glory, Soul Icon

14/1 Bar

View the latest horse racing odds

All odds and market correct at date of publication