2025 Imperial Cup Preview

Betfair Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle Sandown 14:25

 

The Imperial Cup at Sandown Park is another ultra-competitive Handicap Hurdle, often seen as a stepping stone for horses looking to make an impression ahead of the Cheltenham Festival. The race carries a £100,000 bonus for connections of the winner if the same horse goes on to win any race at next week’s Festival.Run over 2 miles with 8 hurdles to navigate, it provides a thorough test of speed and stamina and has a history of producing surprise results, with 9 of the last 21 winners returning at double-figure prices.Despite its unpredictable nature, the race has produced some high-class winners. Zarkandar (2011) used the race as a springboard to Grade 1 glory, while We Have A Dream (2018) followed up with a Festival victory just days later.With a first prize of around £50,000 and 18 of the last 21 winners rated 124 or higher, it’s always a race that attracts plenty of quality and one that can throw up some interesting pointers ahead of the big week at Cheltenham.

 

Runner By Runner Guide

 

1.Lump Sum – A Grade 2 winner who added the Welsh Champion Hurdle to his CV before solid runs in top company. Runner-up to Sir Gino in the Fighting Fifth and far from disgraced behind Constitution Hill, Lossiemouth, and Burdett Road at Kempton. Caught the eye when fourth at Newbury behind a mare fancied for the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. Dylan Johnston’s 3lb claim is a plus, and while now 13lb above his last winning mark, he’s hard to ignore for a team in red-hot form. Despite carrying top weight.

 

2.KnickerbockerGlory– A talented horse on his day, as shown when landing two Class 2 contests on soft ground during the 2022/23 season. He had largely struggled since but returned to form with a commanding C&D hurdle victory, a performance boosted by the runner-up winning next time out. Any rain would be welcome, and he could prove very dangerous if allowed an uncontested lead. Holds an entry in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham.

 

3. Bo Zenith – Very Lightly race following his Short Head second in the Grade 1. 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle at Aintree in 2023. He reappeared with a promising 5th of 11 at Ascot following a Lengthy absence. He holds entries for the Martin Pipe and Coral Cup. He looks short enough in this and could be worth taking on.

 

4. Batman Girac– The 5yo will be Willie Mullins’ first runner in this race for 10 years, and it’s clear the £100,000 Bonus has influenced his decision. He holds an entry in the County Hurdle and has been campaigned in Graded races in Ireland, but without much success. His only previous run in a handicap saw him finish 14th of 19 off a 5lb lower mark, leaving him needing significant improvement to land this prize.

 

5. Ooh Betty– She boasts some very solid form to her name, winning at Sandown and Kempton before finishing a highly creditable third in the Grade 2 Warfield Mares’ Hurdle at Ascot when last seen. She weakened late on but was only beaten two lengths by a dual Grade 1-winning mare. She remains on the same mark and is of serious interest now dropped in grade.

6. Hardy Du Seuil– Won a soft ground C&D class 2 hurdle in 2023 off 124. But has largely struggled to make an impact since. Despite the Jockey taking off a useful 7lb he will need a career best performance to be involved.

 

7. To Chase A Dream – Very consistent at a lower level, racking up a hat-trick of victories in 2024. He finished just a length behind Bo Zenith when the pair met at Cheltenham and wasn’t disgraced when last seen over 2m3f at Doncaster – showing a liking for a stamina test. A strong pace here could play to his strengths. He could represent value against the favourite.

8. Wreckless Eric– Another horse who has proven consistent at a lower level. Winning 3 of his 7 career starts. Probably has something to find with the Market Principles but he is hard to ignore given his progressive profile.

 

9. Go Dante– He arrives here 2lb lower than when winning this race last year, but has largely struggled since that victory 12 months ago. He’s another horse who may be too short in the betting, but should not be dismissed off this mark. Holds an Entry in the County Hurdle.

 

10.Spirits Bay– Put in a career best performance when finishing 5 Lengths behind Constitution Hill in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham when last seen. Interestingly Sam Twiston-Davies takes the ride for the first time. And while any rain would further enhance his Chances, He looks a solid E/W contender. Hold an Entry in the Coral Cup.

 

11. Tintintin– Improved his rating from 111 to 122 thanks to 3 hurdle wins in December 2023 and January 2024. He has been poor since and is very hard to recommend today.

 

12. Afadil– He took a step in the right direction when a very good second at Musselburgh last time out. Despite being 2lb below his last winning mark. He hasn’t shown enough prior to that to be of interest today. Holds an Entry in the County Hurdle.

 

13.King William Rufus– Another horse who has been consistent at a lower level but failed to make the required improvement. When last seen at Newbury. This mark looks to be high enough.

 

14. Tapley– He has shown very little this season and is passed over.

 

15. Sorceleur– Despite being the biggest priced runner of Paul Nicholls horses. This looks to be the first choice based on Jockey Bookings. It is also worth noting that Harry Cobden’s lowest riding weight in the past 12 months is 10-2. Which is surely a clue in itself. Will need a career best to come out on top. But that is possible.

 

16. We’re Red and Blue– A 1lb rise for his 11 Length romp at Kelso is more than fair. But this is a major step up in Grade and his is probably best watched from out the handicap. He holds a County Hurdle Entry.

 

17. Big Ginge– Paying his way at a lower level. This will be a major test of his credentials from out of the Handicap. Despite a 7lb claimer. Claiming off a featherweight he is best watched.

 

Race Overview

With many of the horses lining up eligible for the £100,000 bonus, it’s no surprise to see a strong field size, with 17 runners set to go to post. It may be wise to look beyond the top horses in the betting, especially with most firms offering 5 places—making an each-way (E/W) bet a sensible option.

 

Last year’s winner, Go Dante, looks an obvious starting point, having dropped to a very attractive handicap mark. He also holds an entry for the County Hurdle, so he would be eligible for the £100,000 bonus should he go on to score at the Festival. The race setup, with plenty of pace, could suit him well, as he’ll be looking to stay on late in the day.

 

The current favorite, Bo Zenith, is a little more difficult to back in this race. While he was well-backed and finished 5th at Ascot, he has had a lot of time off the track. He is clearly a talented horse, but this race will present a different scenario than the races he’s been competing in recently.

 

Willie Mullins sends over Batman Girac, his first runner in 10 years in this race. While he needs to improve significantly to feature in this, his connections make him hard to ignore. That said, his current mark seems quite stiff for a race of this nature.

The two horses to focus on might be Ooh Betty and To Chase A Dream. Both are rated 124 or higher and are carrying less than 11st. Ooh Betty brings quality Graded form to the table, having finished second in a Grade 2 hurdle last time out. She also ran well when finishing second to Golden Ace at Cheltenham, who looks to have a solid chance in the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham on Tuesday. Although she wasn’t disgraced that day, she likely found the 2m4f trip at Cheltenham a bit too much. This track should suit her much better, and she could make good use of her stamina in the closing stages. To Chase A Dream was beaten by Bo Zenith when the two met at Cheltenham, but is almost twice the price of the favourite. He has shown himself to be a capable horse on his day, most notably when winning races at Carlisle and Doncaster over slightly further. He likely would have finished closer to Classic King had they jumped the last two at Doncaster more cleanly. He has a strong chance here, especially with Brian Hughes making the journey.

 

SELECTIONS  –

 

OOH BETTY 11/1 generally – 0.5 POINTS E/W