Take a chance with Alabang to end a frustrating run of placed efforts in the Sunderlands Imperial Cup at Sandown today. Following a promising reappearance when a two-length second to Good Vibes at Wetherby in November, the Julie Camacho-trained gelding has found little off the bridle in his two subsequent starts.
In a valuable handicap at Sandown in December, nothing was going better than Alabang two out. But, once let down on the run-in, he was outpaced by Major Jamie and Nahrawali and finished third, two-and-a-quarter lengths behind the Irish-trained winner.
Next time, at Kempton, it was a similar story with Graham Bradley replacing Richard Johnson in the saddle. After cruising behind the leaders at the second last, the combination failed to get to Shahrur on the run-in and were beaten four lengths.
Given a strong pace in this £30,000-added contest, Alabang can benefit from a typically patient ride by Bradley to land the nap and gain a well-deserved win in this competitive handicap.
The EBF National Hunt Novices' Hurdle is another keenly contested affair and it could pay to side with top-weight Red Curate.
Graham McCourt's seven-year-old has improved with each of his four runs this term, winning by 10 lengths at Fontwell on his third outing and landing a Grade Two event next time at Chepstow.
His most recent outing represented vastly improved form. Sent off at 25 to 1, the gelding completely belied those odds by battling on gamely, having always been up with the pace, to beat Strong Tel by three-and-a-half lengths.
Seamus Durack takes the ride, and his 5 lb claim can tip the balance in favour of Red Curate, who can complete his hat-trick in this £25,000-added event.
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