Salut Flo pulled out of Imperial for Festival bid

LEADING Paddy Power Imperial Cup fancy Salut Flo will miss Saturday's valuable handicap in favour of a trip to the Cheltenham Festival.

David Pipe's French recruit was mightily impressive on his British debut at Doncaster last weekend, making a mockery of an initial chase mark of 118 to beat Soulard by 12 lengths.

Salut Flo had been the ante-post second favourite for this weekend's Imperial Cup at Sandown but will now be considered for the Jewson Novices' Handicap Chase next Thursday and the Grand Annual on Friday.

"Salut Flo will compete with just a 5lb penalty for his impressive success," Pipe announced.

Qaspal is an intended runner in the Imperial Cup, but connections face a waiting game to see if the gelding makes the final line-up. The Philip Hobbs-trained six-year-old needs six horses above him to come out to make the cut at today's final declaration stage.

Owner JP McManus has four entries in the 70,000 feature and his racing manager Frank Berry said: "

Qaspal is a definite runner if he gets in.

Stradbrook could run as well.

Bellvano and Sway could easily wait for Cheltenham.

Gary Moore has two entries, although Wade Farm Billy is far from certain to make the cut. But the Brighton trainer hopes Numide can return to his best form.