Pepe Simo is perfect for Paul Nicholls

There are not many top-quality jump races missing from the CV of trainer Paul Nicholls.

While tomorrow's Paddy Power Imperial Cup is a decent prize that has somehow proved elusive to the champion, PEPE SIMO (3.05pm) can put that right by winning the extended two-mile handicap hurdle at Sandown.

The six-year-old won his first three outings over obstacles in impressive style before stepping out of novice company to finish fifth in the Grade One Christmas Hurdle.

And victory would pay a huge compliment to Champion Hurdle favourite Go Native, who beat him decisively at Kempton on Boxing Day.

"We have been waiting for better ground for him. It was too soft for Pepe Simo at Kempton," said Nicholls, who also runs Pistolet Noir.

A win for either of Nicholls' duo will allow them to have a crack at a £75,000 bonus from Paddy Power should the same horse go on to land any race at next week's Cheltenham Festival.

Pepe Simo holds entries in both the Spinal Research Supreme Novices' Hurdle and the Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle.

Meanwhile, Gold Cup-winning jockey Sam Thomas will miss next week's Festival and the Grand National after suffering a hairline fracture of his T1 vertebra in a horror fall when schooling Nicholls' Arkle Chase hope Woolcombe Folly yesterday.

BEST OF THE REST MILHAM'S C4 RACING TIPS

Sandown: 2.00 Ranjobaie; 2.30 Dead Or Alive; 3.40 Lifestyle

Wolverhampton: 2.15 Dunelight; 3.25 Tartan Gigha