The days big race is the Paddy Power Imperial Cup at Sandown (3.15) and Devil To Pay looks to hold outstanding credentials of landing the spoils.
Alan King’s charge has a progressive profile over hurdles and after finishing third to the well handicapped Ranjaan improved again when chasing home Sire De Grugy last time out.
He made the winner pull out all the stops that day and battled on strongly to go down by just 3/4 of a length.
The pair pulled 6 lengths clear of the third home, and on 2lb better terms there is little doubt in my mind that he will turn the tabels on Gary Moore’s charge this afternoon.
Another plus is that the five-year-old looks the type who will relish a strongly run race that will bring his stamina into play and he loos guaranteed to get that here.
The way that he has been finishing his races also suggests that the stiff finish up the Sandown hill will suit him down to the ground, and he looks the type who is ahead of his current mark of 128.
With the likes of the sponsors paying 1/4 odds 1,2,3,4,5 he looks impossible to keep out of the frame at the very least, and at those odds rates an each-way steal.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 4pts each-way Devil To Pay (8/1 generally available – use BOG and firms paying first five)
