Silver Groom looks an Imperial bet

BACKERS looking to augment their personal Cheltenham Festival funds could, if they have not already done so, do worse than invest a small amount on Silver Groom in today's Sunderlands Imperial Cup at Sandown.

There is no one in the game, respected more than Reg Akehurst at preparing a touch, and Silver Groom has all the hallmarks of such a horse. Already the winner of a valuable handicap on the Flat, the six year old has had a break since disappointing behind Warm Spell in Kempton's Bic Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle, in January.

Last of the nine finishers on that occasion, Silver Groom is 12lb better off with the winner for almost 60 lengths beating. But of more importance on this occasion will be the ground.

Silver Groom loves to hear his feet rattle and like one of his other rivals in the Lanzarote, Albemine, the firmer the better. Julie Cecil's charge showed the benefit of a rest and a change in conditions by winning at Doncaster last week.

Silver Groom can emulate him today.

Chepstow stages the Bet With The Tote Novices' Handicap Chase (Final) and victory can go to Major Bell. Alistair Whillans' charge, unbeaten over fences, has been given this task from several entries and the hint should be taken, especially since one of them was at Ayr, a track much closer to his Borders yard than today's venue and where he was successful last time.

Named after his breeder, Major Peter Bell, Major Bell is as tough as they come as he showed when crashing through the final fence at the Scottish track but staying on gamely to deny Golden Fiddle by a short head.

Had it not been for that blunder, the Silly Prices gelding would have had much more to spare over his rival and this genuine, improving front runner looks to have too much ammunition for today's opposition.

Another treble chasing individual is Backgammon who makes a quick return following his emphatic victory over Beaumont at Uttoxeter on Monday. Backgammon was instigating a first ever three timer for his trainer Jim Old on that occasion and Old's willingness to produce the five year old so soon after Monday's success suggests that all is well with the Midyan gelding.

. Aljadeer, one time favourite for the Epsom Derby and third in the Dante Stakes, looks to have found his niche at last after a highly promising chasing debut in the 4 Seasons Novices' Chase at Market Rasen yesterday.

Jumping ahead at the final fence the Alleged gelding only had to be shaken up and used his Flat speed to draw away on the run in.

Mick Easterby, sending out his eighth winner this term, bought Aljadeer out of Henry Cecil's yard and had him gelded and rested him for 18 months allowing him to recover from a leg injury.

Ginger McCain's yard is another returning to form after the cold spell and were back in the winners enclosure for only the third time this season after the gutsy success of Crafty Chaplain in the Wheatley Packaging Handicap chase.

Nigel Tinkler's Elite Justice gave his 8,500 strong owners group plenty of cause to cheer when appreciating the drop in class and making virtually all to record a cosy five length victory from Hot Breeze in the Farmers Day Selling Handicap Hurdle.