Graeme McPherson targets Imperial rule with Kayf Blanco

Graeme McPherson is looking for a change of fortune for Kayf Blanco in the Matchbook Imperial Cup at Sandown on Saturday. The eight-year-oldhas not won since Wetherby in November 2015, but he has been running consistently well this season. "He wouldn't be winning out of turn, that's for sure," said McPherson."His form behind Brain Power and Consul De Thaix at Sandown in December reads very well in the context of this race."After that he was unlucky at Exeter and then ran a blinder in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury."This race is usually won by an improver but I've had a quick look and nothing jumps out off the page at me, hopefully he can take advantage."Tony Martin decided against running Golden Spear and Tudor City, meaning there are no Irish runners.Harry Fry also did not declare original top-weight Air Horse One, which means Nicky Henderson's Fixe Le Kap will be at the summit on his seasonal reappearance. William H Bonney and Bigmartre are also involved, while David Pipe, who invariably targets the Imperial Cup, is running Max Do Brazil. The race follows the recent trend of major handicaps outside the Cheltenham Festival that have not attracted maximum fields, with only 13 declared for the £70,000 prize. It is all the more surprising as there is a £50,000 bonus for any horse that wins on Saturday and follows up at the Festival.