It's all systems Go for Dante to defend Imperial Cup crown

GO Dante is expected to put up a bold show in his bid for a record third victory in the Betfair Imperial Cup at Sandown.

- By ASHLEY IVESON

ante can repeat last year's win in Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle at Sandown

(ALAN CROWNHURST/GETTY IMAGES)

Olly Murphy’s veteran has claimed the feature event on the Saturday before the Cheltenham Festival in each of the past two seasons, beating Faivoir by a nose in 2024 and the reopposing Wreckless Eric by half a length 12 months ago. He again showed his liking for the Esher circuit when landing another valuable pot here in December and is only 2Ib higher as he looks to make it four from four at the course.

Go Dante has disappointed on his last couple of starts at Windsor and Newbury, on both occasions struggling to lay up with the early pace on speed tracks, but he has undergone wind surgery since and at double-figure odds he merits another chance back on terrain that clearly brings out the best in him.

Murphy and champion jockey Sean Bowen will also have high hopes of landing the European Breeders’ Fund Betfair “National Hunt” Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Final with the fast-improving Scorpio Rising.