Betfair Imperial Cup: Mondo Man favourite to win at Sandown and claim Cheltenham bonus

• Moores' Mondo Man favourite to win Betfair Imperial Cup

• Sandown race is Saturday's highlight before Cheltenham

• For the latest Betfair Racing odds click here

• Click here for more racing betting tips

• Read the Cheltenham Festival 2026 Ultimate Guide

Mondo Man is the 11/43.75 favourite to win Saturday's Betfair Imperial Cup and claim a £100,000 bonus from the sponors if he follows up with a victory at next week's Cheltenham Festival.

While anticipation is reaching fever pitch for next week's four days of world class National Hunt racing at Prestbury Park, Saturday's action at Sandown makes for a brilliant dress rehearsal. 

A £100,000 bonus is on offer to the connections of the winner should the same horse go on to win any race at Cheltenham next week.

The 22 runners will be looking to emulate Blowing Wind in 1998 and Gaspara in 2007 who went on to land the bonus at the Festival.

Market leader Mondo Man will be looking to get himself get himself into the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival where he is priced at 16/117.00 NRNB.

Last year's first, second, and third are set to do battle again this year, with the Olly Murphy trained Go Dante a 10/111.00 chance to land a hat-trick of wins in the race. 

Wreckless Eric was a good second in the race last year and is a big market mover in the contest this year looking to go one better this season. Having been 14/115.00 at the ante-post stage he is now into 11/26.50 second favourite. 

Betfair ambassador Paul Nicholls is looking to land the race for a third time in seven years with last year's third Afadil who is a 16/117.00 chance and also has a Cheltenham Festival entry.

The Ditcheat trainer also has 20/121.00 shout Nardaran, who was last seen running at Southwell behind Constitution Hill, in Saturday's feature at Sandown.

Betting.Betfair is the place for Cheltenham Festival 2026 tips. From day one to four, our tipsters will recommend their best bets while Paul Nicholls will preview all of his runners exclusively on this site.

Gold Cup-winning jockey Rachael Blackmore will reveal what it takes to win the big races at the Festival. It all adds up to unbeatable wall-to-wall coverage of Cheltenham 2026. 

Betfair Imperial Cup latest prices

Mondo Man 11/43.75
Wreckless Eric 11/26.50
Go Dante, Jack Hyde, General Briar, Rubber Ball 10/111.00
Knickerbockerglory 12/113.00
Star Of Guiting, Afadil 16/117.00
Fingle Bridge, Ooh Betty, Messerschmitt, Nardaran, No Ordinary Joe 20/121.00
Top Jimmy, Gooloogong 25/126.00
Gibbs Island, Bubble Dubi, We're Red And Blue 33/134.00
Game Colours 40/141.00
Mr McLoughlan 50/151.00
Spirits Bay 66/167.00

Now read our writers' Cheltenham NAPs 2026