English/Ire
Mondo Man makes light work of Imperial Cup rivals
Mondo Man and Caoilin Quinn survived a final flight scare to land the valuable Betfair Imperial Cup at Sandown.
Fifth in the 2024 Prix du Jockey Club and fourth behind subsequent Japan Cup hero Calandagan in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, Mondo Man cost new connections a pretty penny and after finishing runner-up to Lulamba on his hurdling debut and third in the Adonis Hurdle, it looked as though a big pot was just around the corner.
It took Gary and Josh Moore's five-year-old until last month to get off the mark over hurdles but with that effortless confidence-boosting success under the belt, he was well-fancied to make an immediate impact on his return to handicap company.
Things looked to be going smoothly for Mondo Man as he travelled sweetly on the front end under Caoilin Quinn and heading down towards the final flight, he looked to have the race in safekeeping.
However, Quinn found himself clinging on to remain in the saddle as Mondo Man shifted one way and he went the other over the last but thankfully for all those involved, the partnership remained intact and despite being ironless up the run-in, Quinn managed drive his mount out to get the better of Jonjo and AJ O'Neill's Wreckless Eric.
Gary Moore said: "It was an amazing performance, and I didn't really want to run because of the ground but the only reason he is running is because he has class.
"I was devastated when I saw he was having to see him make the running, it wasn't my plan, but it was Caoilin's and he stuck to it and it came off - he was very stylish after the last wasn't he!"
Mondo Man could swoop a £100,000 bonus should he follow up at the Cheltenham Festival next week but despite being as short as 10/1 for the William Hill County Hurdle, Gary Moore seemingly has his eye on a return to Royal Ascot.
He added: "I'll have to speak to the owners, and it will depend how he comes out of the race as he has had a hard race today. It's tough to make all round here on heavy ground and come out fresh enough to go again next week.
"He was also bought to run on the Flat as well and he met with an injury last season which is why he wasn't seen on the Flat after Chester, so there could be some nice options for him.
"I would like to see him run in the two-mile race at Royal Ascot (Ascot Stakes). He was bought to run in the Triumph Hurdle and then go to Royal Ascot, and he's run in the Triumph now just not very well."
It didn't take long for Gary and Josh Moore and Caoilin Quinn to return to the winners' circle as Ti'mamzel defied a penalty in fine style to claim the British Stallion Studs EBF Mares' Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.
Sent off an 8/1 chance, Ti'mamzel was looking to double her tally at Listed level having scored at Huntingdon on debut before suffering a reverse at Warwick.
Always well-positioned, she picked up well in the straight before powering away from the chasing Millstatt Abbey to score by six and a half lengths.
Josh Moore said: "We ran her in a Listed race first time out as we knew she was good; she's always been very professional.
"The only concern today was she was giving everything 4lb in heavy ground, but she's a big strong mare. Aintree is the plan for her next and see how she gets on there."
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