EBONY Express could go in pursuit of glory at the Cheltenham Festival after coming up with the goods to deliver a shock victory in the William Hill Imperial Cup at Sandown.

In a race where few managed to get seriously involved, the 33-1 shot returned to winning ways to give Worcester trainer Dr Richard Newland a first victory in the Grade Three handicap hurdle.

Having been close to the firing line throughout, the six-year-old held off the rallying advances of long-time leader Rayvin Black by three-quarters of a length under Will Kennedy.

Newland's charge was cut to as short as 10-1 for the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Hurdle and 12-1 for the Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle, with the latter looking the most likely target for the attempt to bag a £100,000 bonus.

Newland said: "When he won his first two races he was very impressive, then it went wrong at Catterick as I rushed to get a third run in. He was coughing a bit and I was a bit stupid to run him there.

"At Newbury he was running well when he was brought down and since then he has been very good and working ever so well.

"He had a little leg infection in the week, but the vet did a great job in getting that sorted "On his best form he had a good chance of winning today and it was just a question of whether he brought his 'A' game."

Only Martin and David Pipe have bagged the bonus for winning the Imperial Cup and a race at Cheltenham, and Newland added: "I have entered him in both races (Martin Pipe and County Hurdle) in case this happened. I would like to think he has a squeak of getting in the County Hurdle, as that is the preference."