Big-race preview & tip: Betfair Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle

14:27 Sandown Betfair Imperial Cup

Timeform Analyst's Verdict

A big-field handicap but the eye is firmly drawn towards MONDO MAN. He failed to justify support on handicap debut at Ascot in December but he's since outclassed inferior opposition at Plumpton and based on his Flat form, he can confirm his mark to be lenient this time. Wreckless Eric was runner-up in this a year ago and looks interesting with cheekpieces on, while Go Dante demands consideration chasing an Imperial Cup hat-trick.

Daryl Jacob Insight

Typically of these valuable handicaps now they’re not attracting the quality horses they used to with Fingle Bridge top rated off 139 in Saturday's Betfair Imperial Cup.

He's a good horse with good form to his name, but I think he's slow relative to this test and I’d say there’ll be a fair few who have too many guns for him.

In a big field with lots of prominent racers they look set to go a very strong gallop and I wouldn’t rule out the hold-up horses even though this is a tough track on which to make up ground.

Mondo Man looks the key horse for Gary & Josh Moore. He has a bit of quality about him and looks very well handicapped off 123. On his Flat form he could be thrown in but he still has it in him to pull too hard.

Caoilin Quinn will drop him in but the problem is that long bend before the home straight, if you’re still dropped in there and you have 10 or 15 lengths to make up on the field, that’s difficult to pull off.

He is the obvious one at the top of the market, but with tactics in mind I want something at a bigger price and the horse I like each-way is JACK HYDE.

Fergal O’Brien’s charge ran well last time behind a good horse of Robert Walford’s Aurigny Mill at Taunton, while previous to that he ran a cracker at Cheltenham.

A stiff track like Sandown will suit him well and he’ll be ridden in the right pocket looking at how this could pan out, with Tom Broughton likely to bank a mid-division slot.

Plenty of pace on will suit him as he’ll stay well and I think he’s both experienced and with more to come, which makes him an ideal each-way option in a competitive race like this.

Timeform Top Rated

Mondo Man (150p) - 1lb clear of No Ordinary Joe

Timeform Pace Guide

Pace Forecast: Extreme

Specific Pace Hint: The forecast unrelenting pace will probably work against RUBBER BALL while advancing the chances of MONDO MAN.

Individual Price Hint: STAR OF GUITING traded at least twice his starting Betfair SP when winning on his latest outing.

Key Video Form

MONDO MAN - Plumpton 23/02/2026

GO DANTE, WRECKLESS ERIC, AFADIL - Sandown 08/03/2025

GENERAL BLAIR - Newbury 14/01/2026

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