2025 Imperial Cup Tips - Odds, trends and best bets for Sandown

Jon Vine

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Last updated: 07 Mar 2025

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Jon Vine 07 Mar 2025

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Tips, trends and odds for the 2025 Imperial Cup
This handicap hurdle takes place at Sandown on Saturday 8th March
Wreckless Eric features in our selections

Expired

The Imperial Cup at Sandown. (Getty)

Saturday's ITV racing action is headlined by the Imperial Cup. This thrilling two-mile handicap hurdle boasts a long history, having first been run at Sandown in 1947, and classy horses like Lanzarote, Floyd and Collier Bay won the Imperial Cup during their illustrious careers.

Here's our free guide to the 2025 Imperial Cup, including the latest odds, key trends and our best betting tips.

2025 Imperial Cup Odds

Name	Odds
Bo Zenith	5/1
Batman Girac	6/1
Lump Sum	7/1
Go Dante	9/1
Spirits Bay	10/1
Wreckless Eric	10/1
Bar	12/1

2025 Imperial Cup Trends

12 of the last 13 winners had won either zero or one handicap race
12 of the last 13 winners had started at least 3 races that season
12 of the last 13 winners had won at least once over two miles
11 of the last 13 winners carried 11-02 or less
11 of the last 13 winners were aged seven or younger
11 of the last 13 winners were rated between 128 and 136
10 of the last 13 winners ran during February or March
10 of the last 13 winners were having their first start around Sandown
10 of the last 13 winners finished fourth or better last time out

Go Dante was very much a trends buster when he won this race 12 months ago. Olly Murphy's nine-year-old has shown little form this season and would prefer the ground to be softer, but he has dropped down to a mark of 127 - two pounds lower than his rating in last year's contest. He's got a chance.

Bo Zenith tops the market, but for me he's crying out for a step up in trip. I'd fancy him more in a Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival. I'm happy to swerve the quirky Batman Girac, Lump Sum has loads of weight to carry and Spirits Bay has been well-beaten in three handicaps off similar marks this term.

2025 Imperial Cup Tip - Wreckless Eric

I still think there's plenty of upside to WRECKLESS ERIC (10/1), who was very good value for his victory at Cheltenham's November meeting. Jonjo & AJ O'Neill's star fell with the race at his mercy on his reappearance at Wincanton, but travelled powerfully throughout that Cheltenham contest and hit the front at the right time.

Back at Cheltenham in December, Wreckless Eric kept on strong to finish second behind Mirabad, who was given a superb ride from the front. Kielan Woods' mount then attempted to win from off the pace at Windsor - something that's proven incredibly difficult since that jumps course reopened - and his late effort was only good enough for sixth behind Secret Squirrel.

What I like most about Wreckless Eric is that he's always going his best work in the latter stages of a race. The handicapper has dropped his mark by a pound to 127 following that solid effort at Windsor, which puts him perfectly in the window for the Imperial Cup. The track and ground should suit. I fancy his chances quite strongly.

Live Stream

Visit our Imperial Cup Live Stream page if you plan on watching any of Saturday's races via a mobile or tablet.

Verdict

2025 Imperial Cup

Wreckless Eric is our best bet in the 2025 Imperial Cup.

Wreckless Eric

2025 Imperial Cup Best Bet

@10/1 - 5 Units

Bet £10 Get £30

with bonus code NEWBONUS

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