The wait is almost over. We are just three days away from the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, but before that, we have a seven-race card to get through at Sandown as they host their Imperial Cup Day.
Get the best betting odds for all 28 Cheltenham Festival races with the best online betting sites here.
Sandown 1:15 Betfair Racing Podcasts Juvenile Handicap Hurdle – 2m (4yo 0-125)
Just like the Friday of the Cheltenham Festival the juvenile hurdles kick off the card, and even though he has to shoulder 12st, it can pay to side with Melon.
He is two from three over hurdles and got the better of Narragansett at Wetherby last time out. Melon is on better terms this time around and should uphold that form.
Rick It All threw it away at Plumpton at short odds, but if he can race more conservatively, he could prove a big danger.
- Selection: Melon
- Danger: Risk It All
Sandown 1:50 European Breeders’ Fund Betfair ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Final – 2m4f (4-7yo)
Meetmebythesea got the better of The Kemble Brewery at Ludlow last time out, but it may be worth giving him one more chance.
The Kemble Brewery was sent off a 4/11 favourite that day, but he now has a massive swing in the weights today with that rival and can reverse the form.
He got the better of Jurancon on his hurdles debut, and that form has worked out well. Jurancon went on to win three of his next four starts, beating now Grade 2 winner Tripoli Flyer in the process, giving the form an even better look.
If Kelper’s Law’s win at Leicester is to be believed, then this lightly raced gelding could put up a bold show at a massive price.
- Selection: The Kemble Brewery 5/1
- Danger: Kelper’s Law 20/1
Bet on The Kemble Brewery with SBK
Sandown 2:25 Betfair Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle – 2m (4yo+)
This is as wide open as it gets, and you would not be put off making a case for all 17 runners.
I will take a chance with course and distance winner Ohh Betty. She has been progressing steadily this season, winning two of her four starts, including a win over course and distance. She chased home Take No Chances and Kargese in the Grade 2 Mares Hurdle at Ascot in January, and with the promise of more to come, Ohh Betty can play a hand in the finish in a wide-open race from on the pace.
The Big Ginge has some decent form this season, and this massive gelding has the ability out outrun his massive odds in a race that should play to his strengths.
- Selection: Ohh Betty 12/1 (e/w)
- Danger: The Big Ginge 25/1
Bet on Ohh Betty with talkSPORT BET
Sandown 3:00 Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race – 2m (4-6yo)
Cat was unlucky not to win when just failing to reel in the front-running Kingston Queen.
The top two meet on the same terms once again, and there is no real reason why Dream Shadow should overcome a two-length deficit.
A Path To Ronda was a good winner on her only start to date, and if she can come on for that run, there is no reason why she can’t get to the main players for her new connections.
- Selection: Charisma Cat 9/4
- Danger: Dream Shadow 4/1
Bet on Charisma Car with bet365
Sandown 3:35 Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase – 3m (5yo+ 0-135)
It’s not the deepest of races, but with his stable hitting form and one of his better runs in a long time last time out, I’m taking a chance that Goshen can return to winning ways today.
This former classy hurdler went off the boil for a few years, but he is starting to show some signs of life in his last two runs. His run in the Swinley Handicap Chase at Ascot was one of his best runs in a long time. Even with him having to concede weight all around (he has been dropped 3 lb since Ascot), this fan favourite can bring the house down with a win in what looks a much weaker race than the one he contested at Ascot.
Hoe Joly Smoke will need to put a below-par run behind him here, but he was a good winner the last time he ran over course and distance. He can provide the biggest danger.
- Selection: Goshen 15/2
- Danger: Hoe Joly Smoke 3/1
Bet on Goshen with Paddy Power
Sandown 4:10 Betfair Exchange Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase – 2m4f (5yo+ 0-130)
It’s a tough enough puzzle to solve here. New Order has improved for a wind op takiing two of his last three starts, and must be respecting if he turns up in the same form. But bottom-weight Walks Like The Man is the one to side with.
This lightly raced Gary Moore gelding won well last time out at Plumpton under Harry Cobden, and given that there should be more to come on the back of that win, he may be able to take full advantage of his weight concession in a race that he is likely to get an uncontested lead.
- Selection: Walk Like The Man
- Danger: New Order
Bet on Walk Like The Man with Betfred
Sandown 4:45 betting.betfair.com Handicap Chase – 2m4f (5yo 0-130)
Xcitations bounced back to form with a gutsy win over shorter at this track last time out, but he has never won over this distance. Fire Flyer has the ability to feature here, but he comes with too many risks attached to put him up as a selection confidently.
So, that leads me to Triple Trade, who is starting to look handicapped off 124.
His last win came off 11 lb higher when getting the better of Harper’s Brook at Ascot, and that win was after being put up 5 lb for a win at Cheltenham’s Paddy Power meeting in November 2023.
He hinted that a return to form may be just around the corner with ataying on 2nd to El Rio at Kempton in a 0-140. This race marks a drop in grade, and if Triple Trade can take a step forward once again, he has every chance to get back to winning ways here.
- Selection: Triple Trade
- Danger: Fire Flyer
About the author
Andrew Halligan
My name is Andrew Halligan, horse racing pundit and founder of YouTube’s The Finishing Line Podcast. Horse racing is a thrilling spectacle that captivates audiences around the world with its blend of drama and excitement. Whether you’re a jumps or flat fan, I will use my experience of working within the horse racing industry to bring the best of what this sport has to offer.
You can follow Andrew on X (@Halligan88).
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