Mondo Man and Wreckless Eric head the market for tomorrow’s big race at Sandown, the Betfair Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle (2.27 p.m.), and a good case can be made for each of them landing the spoils.

Mondo Man, trained by the father and son Moore team, is well handicapped over hurdles based on his flat form and, as a five-year-old gelding, his best days are surely ahead of him. However, odds of around 3-1 for a 22-runner handicap make zero appeal.

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Wreckless Eric, trained by the father and son O’Neill team, is well handicapped based on his run in this race a year ago when he was beaten only half a length by Go Dante, who will also be in the field tomorrow. Wreckless Eric re-opposes on 8 lbs better terms with Go Dante but that’s largely because he has run so poorly in three starts this season. That makes odds of no bigger than 13-2 on Wreckless Eric look skinny too.

I was tempted to put up Ooh Betty each way at 22-1 after her win at Ascot but she ran in this race last year off the same rating (132) as she will tomorrow and made no show, eventually finishing eleventh. On balance, I am happy to watch this race with no money down.

I prefer to put my hard earned on two horses at big prices in the European Breeders’ Fund Betfair “National Hunt” Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Final........

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