SANDOWN PARK 14:25 4i6v6h

Non Runners: BLU CAVALIER, SOLOMON GREY (FR), EXTRA MAG (FR). Hurdles: 8.

Time: 4m 1.6s Closing Sectional: (6.05f): 94.7s (96.6%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 124%, Betfair SP 100.3%

Numbers have been on the slide in the Imperial Cup in recent years, with only one field of 20 or more runners since 2012, and it's been down to Call Me Lord to add the real high-end quality in the last 2 editions, his presence again ensuring a compressed handicap below him, nothing else taking part carrying more than 10-12; those points made, the winner had been building up to a performance of this calibre, and the presence of a couple of the season's big improvers in second and fourth - split by the irable top weight - points to a renewal with depth, one that was run at a predictably breakneck gallop with Speredek in the line-up, the winner's bad mistake 2 out ensuring she was able to play her hand that bit later than the runner-up, as so often pays on the hurdles track here on bad ground.

MALAYA (FR) confirmed this season's previous promise as she provided her yard with another big Saturday payday, clearly spot on for the day, producing a finishing effort at odds with a few that had gone before, particularly notable considering the severity of a late error; travelled smoothly, settled mid-field, closing when bad mistake 2 out, lost momentum but had enough in hand to rally, produced to lead inside the final 100 yds without being all out; a 4-lb penalty will see her get in the County and, despite testing conditions here, she didn't have a sufficiently hard race to consider removing her from the top few of any shortlist for next Friday.

MONSIEUR LECOQ (FR) improved all the more under his yard's other regular conditional after 9 weeks off, enhancing his status as one of the more progressive hurdlers on the handicap scene, perhaps likely to have brought up a hat-trick had his push to the front been delayed on a track notorious for its late changes of complexion; typically travelled well, settled in touch, headway to lead before 2 out, kicked on soon after, closed down soon after last, caught inside final 100 yds, pulled clear of remainder; he needs a good few to come out to have a chance of gaining revenge on Malaya in the County, but he'll be one to keep on the right side for other top 2m handicaps beyond that, perhaps starting at Aintree.

CALL ME LORD (FR) proved better than ever after 11 weeks off to supplement a remarkable record from his infrequent handicap appearances, placed in this for the second year in a row from a mark fully 8 lb higher, albeit with an inbuilt class edge over most in both renewals, this time around boasting a BHA mark at least a stone higher than anything in opposition; patiently ridden, not fluent fourth, smooth headway before 2 out, shaken up approaching last, held run-in.

STORM RISING (IRE) resumed his progress given more of a break (4 months), making a much better fist of things than in the Greatwood, though the exalted grade showed in his effort, rather hard work; mid-field, shaken up end of back straight, carried head bit awkwardly straight, effort out wide 2 out, stayed on.

FIRST FLOW (IRE) shaped encouragingly after 12 months off, especially set against the backdrop of a belated return thrust into a high-end race for his handicap bow; tracked pace, went with zest, went second home turn, threatened briefly, lost place between last 2, no extra; he can make up for lost time now, assuming he comes out of this in one piece, though it's when chasing - presumably next season now - that he's expected to really flourish.

SPEREDEK (FR) shaped better than the distance beaten suggests back over hurdles in a headgear swap after 8 weeks off, this just about the worst track around - at least on testing ground - to pull off his trademark tactics; jumped fluently, pressed leader, led after second, pressed on back straight, kicked on again home turn, headed approaching 2 out, left behind gradually.

BENNY'S BRIDGE (IRE) is well worth another chance in some of the better 2m handicaps, not only 8 lb out of the weights in this one but also looked after once his effort had stalled; steadied at the start, well off pace still home turn, progress on inner 2 out, no further impression, not unduly punished; encouragingly, he settled better in a strongly-run race, and he remains open to improvement.

DREAM DU GRAND VAL (FR) faced a stiffer task in this grade back in a handicap and couldn't make the same headway as a couple of others from a similar position; patiently ridden, went out wide early in straight, shaken up before 2 out, made little impression.

OUR MERLIN had plenty on from 7 lb out of the handicap after 6 weeks off, compounded by having Speredek in opposition for the front-running role; led until after second, chased leader until home turn, left behind gradually straight.

CHTI BALKO (FR) had been dropped 5 lb in one hit but ran about as poorly as he had at Cheltenham 6 weeks earlier, both races a far cry from the smaller-field company in the North; tracked pace, ridden from 3 out, struggling straight.

PYROMANIAC (IRE) without usual headgear, offered little asked a big question on his first outing since leaving A. J. Martin after 9 months off; waited with, mistake first, pushed along straight, made no impression.

TOTTERDOWN without usual hood for some reason, turned in a rare poor effort, perhaps not right either physically or mentally; dwelt, chased leaders, ridden home turn, struggling quickly, pulled up before 2 out.

ALL YOURS (FR) predictably went with no encouragement on his first outing since leaving Paul Nicholls after 34 months off; not settle fully, never involved.