Sandown’s Imperial Cup headlines the final pre-Cheltenham weekend, as Andrew Mount gives GG readers his best bets.
Back his selections with SkyBet’s brilliant new customer offer of £40 in Free Bets when you bet anything!
Posted: 2.27pm, Friday, March 7th
1.50 Sandown – GEORGE’S LAD (1pt win – 13/2 William Hill, bet365) & SILVER THORN (0.5pt e/w – 18/1 William Hill, bet365)
In-form Emma Lavelle has a fantastic record with her handicap hurdle debutants, scoring with 45 of the 266 qualifiers this century (16.9% strike-rate) for a profit of £53.63 to a £1 level stake at SP (expected winners = 32.60, A/E = 1.38). Those aged seven or younger were 44 from 247 (17.8%) for a profit of £69.13. She has two qualifiers in the EBF Final and both are worth a bet. GEORGE’S LAD has improved his RPRs (Racing Post Ratings) with each of his four starts over hurdles (91, 108, 117 and 123), culminating in a maiden hurdle win at Doncaster last time when stepped up to 2m3.5f.
SILVER THORN did well to win from midfield at Stratford back in October and he chased home Belliano – favourite for today’s race – at Market Rasen last time. The six-year-old clocked a fast time for that runner-up effort and is a big price.
Join our 20k+ subscribers to receive the latest horse racing news, offers, and expert tips directly in your inbox — 100% free!
2.25 Sandown – SPIRITS BAY (1pt e/w – 8/1 William Hill) & GO DANTE (0.5pt e/w – 15/2 Ladbrokes, 7/1 generally)
Simply backing horses who were ridden patiently in their prep race would have found the last ten Imperial Cup winners (from 75 runners) for a profit of £56.00 to a £1 level stake at SP (expected winners = 5.16, A/E = 1.94). Those who led or raced prominently were 0-81. There are seven qualifiers this year…
Lump Sun
Batman Girac
To Chase A Dream
Wreckless Eric
Go Dante
Spirits Bay
Tapley
The two I want to back are last year’s winner GO DANTE, who looked on his way back when a 28-1 seventh of 17 in the William Hill Hurdle at Newbury last month. His record in March reads 111 (3-3).
SPIRITS BAY ran a cracking race to finish third to Constitution Hill in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham on Trials Day when I put him up as an each-way bet at 1001-1 (two places). The drop in grade will suit, as will the switch to a right-handed track as his record this way round reads 1211 (3-4).
6.15 Wolverhampton – ETRETAT (0.5pt e/w – 7/1 bet365)
Charlie Johnston’s ETRETAT trailed home last of the eight runners when 7-2 joint favourite for a 1m2f handicap at Lingfield last month, but he made the running against the ‘dead’ rail, and it was no great surprise to see him go out like a light. Claiming jockey Ashley Young is replaced by Jason Hart and the switch to Tapeta won’t be an issue for this course winner. He’s well drawn in stall 3 to track likely pace angle Eagle Day – drawn next door in stall 2 – and his jockey can sit on the shoulder of that rival before pouncing late.
Andrew Mount’s Best Bets
1.50 Sandown – GEORGE’S LAD (1pt win – 13/2 William Hill, bet365) & SILVER THORN (0.5pt e/w – 18/1 William Hill, bet365)
2.25 Sandown – SPIRITS BAY (1pt e/w – 8/1 William Hill) & GO DANTE (0.5pt e/w – 15/2 Ladbrokes, 7/1 generally)
6.15 Wolverhampton – ETRETAT (0.5pt e/w – 7/1 bet365)
Georges Lad
Andrew Mount’s tips for Saturday, 8th March 2025
Andrew Mount’s Cheltenham Focus – Statistical Pointers for Cheltenham Festival Handicaps
I’m going to use the final column before the festival to provide some statistical pointers for the handicaps on a race-by-race basis but first, a few trainer snippets… Ireland Versus Britain in Festival Handicap Chases Since 2020 (i.e. the last five Cheltenham festivals), Irish-trained runners have a superior strike-rate in handicap chases compared to those…
Tue 04 Mar 2025 Looking For More Racing Info? Check Out Our Racecards & Top Tips Sections
Make sure you’re following us on all our social media platforms to keep up to date with all the latest horse racing news and the best tips.