English/Ire
Mondo Man on course for Sussex Champion Hurdle bid
Gary and Josh Moore’s Imperial Cup winner Mondo Man will look to continue his progression over hurdles in this weekend’s BetGoodwin Sussex Champion Hurdle Handicap Hurdle at Plumpton.
A talented performer on the flat, Mondo Man bumped into the likes of Lulamba and Mambonumberfive in his early hurdling days. Subsequent efforts behind the talented Mossy Road Fen and Grade 1-bound Cheltenham Festival winner Wilful confirmed his talent but he remained without a one next to his name over hurdles.
A routine success around Plumpton when having his sights lowered soon set that record straight and after surviving a final flight scare to land the valuable Imperial Cup at Sandown, Moore is eyeing further hurdling glory back at Plumpton this weekend.
"He's very much on course," said Gary Moore on Sky Sports Racing. "He'll do his last bit of work on Wednesday but so far so good, it's the obvious race for him after the Imperial Cup and all things being equal, he should have a good chance.
"I don't think the ground matters too much for him. His best ever run for me on the Flat was when he finished fourth to Calandagan on quick ground. I know he's got to jump hurdles now which is a different ball game, but I think it all comes the same to him.
"His Flat form is fantastic. It's taken me a year and a half to win with him which is terrible really!
"We took him to Plumpton which was the obvious race because we wanted to see if he could go round there for this race. He handled it very well and it obviously did his confidence the world of good and it put him spot on for Sandown.
"It probably wasn't the strongest Imperial Cup's that there has been, but I was amazed that he done it as well as he did, especially being ridden the way he was. I said to drop him in and give him a chance, but he took the bull by the horns and let him bowl along like he did at Plumpton.
"He always was a hold-up horse, but he seems to have changed his tactics at the moment.
Fifth in the 2024 Prix du Jockey Club and fourth behind no other than the previously mentioned Calandagan in the King Edward VII Stakes, Mondo Man's eye-catching Flat form has left Gary Moore planning a return to Royal Ascot, with connections keen to utilise their €520,000 purchase in both codes.
"After this run at Plumpton he'll be aimed at the Flat. All being well hopefully he can go to Royal Ascot.
"There's a one-mile six race for him but I think the only race he'll qualify for will be the mile and a half race. I think it's the the King Edward."
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