’16-1 shot seems to be overpriced within the Imperial Cup’ – Jason Heavey’s Saturday suggestions

The Daily Star Chief Tipster found the 14-1 winner of the big race last weekend and has singled out a 16-1 outsider at Sandown on Saturday

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GENERAL BRIAR can take command in the Betfair Imperial Cup at Sandown on Saturday.

Chris Gordon’s charge has crept into the race near the bottom of the weights and has a likeable profile.

His season began at Newton Abbot in September when he was upsides A Pai De Nom when falling.

That Dan Skelton horse has improved all season and is a leading fancy at Cheltenham this week.

General Briar dotted up at Plumpton in December before a decisive victory at Newbury in a handicap.

He stays further than two miles and stamina always comes into play up the long home straight at the Esher track.

At around 16-1 he is a strong fancy to outrun his odds and boost the ­Cheltenham coffers.

Mondo Man makes the market and he did finish fifth in the 2024 French Derby, although he looks plenty short enough at 3-1.

The defection of Knickerbockerglory means his first reserve and stablemate Brace For Landing gets a run and he has been heavily punted.

No Ordinary Joe (22-1) ran his best race for some time at Ascot and appeals as an each-way poke along with Go Dante (12-1), who has won the race for the past two years.

CINQUENTA (1.50) can emulate his stablemate Laurens Bay and spring a surprise in the EBF Final at Sandown today.

Twelve months ago Gavin Sheehan rode a peach of a race to get Jamie Snowden’s 33-1 shot home in the dying strides in what is always a warm contest.

And while Laurens Bay heads for Cheltenham next week in the National Hunt Chase, the Snowden yard has a similar type in Cinquenta.

The six-year-old was chinned in a couple of novice hurdles before striding clear to win at Market Rasen by eight-and-a-half lengths. That was impressive and the further the gelding went the better he looked.

Cinquenta has a nice profile for the race, and although his ­future lies over fences, he is a fair punt at 14-1.

Sheehan can notch a double in the Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Mares’ Standard Bumper on MILLSTATT ABBEY (3.00), who impressed when scoring at Uttoxeter on her Rules debut.

She made all, travelled powerfully and ran on well to win, and she looks to have the ­required stamina.

CALIMYSTIC (3.35) can give the Nicky Henderson yard a boost ahead of a huge week in the Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase. He is lightly raced but I’ll wager he is better than a 122-rated beast.

ITV3 are showing three races on the sand at Wolverhampton and DRAGON LEADER (2.05) is chanced on his comeback from a lay-off.

A fine two-year-old, it is ­notable Clive Cox has kept him in training and his mark of 85 is of ­interest in the Make The Move To Midnite Handicap.

The yard is in good form with three of its last four runners winning. One of those winners was KINGDOM COME (2.42) who is turned out quickly in the BetMGM Lincoln Trial.

He won well at Kempton 10 days ago and has a nice draw in two.

PRINCE OF INDIA (3.15) had a fruitful 2025 with four wins and his rating soaring by 28lb. He won first time out last year and gets the vote in the BetMGM Lady Wulfruna Stakes.

JASON HEAVEY’S SATURDAY TIPS

SANDOWN

1.15 Superkap

1.50 Cinquenta

2.27 General Briar (Nap)

3.00 Millstatt Abbey

3.35 Calimystic

4.10 Soldierofthestorm

4.45 Norn Iron

WOLVERHAMPTON

2.05 Dragon Leader

2.42 Kingdom Come

3.15 Prince Of India

3.50 Sintra

4.25 Port Hedland

5.00 Elashgar

5.35 Mr Nugget

AYR

1.32 Gatineau Park

2.07 One Mill Harbour

2.47 Bollin Matilda

3.20 Triple Crown Ted

3.55 Classic Maestro

4.30 Kalo Athena

5.05 Jet Of Stars

HEREFORD

1.42 Braganza Boy (trb)

2.12 Neon Dream

2.52 Largy Belter

3.25 By The Grace

4.02 Bective Abbey

4.37 Granny Hawkins

5.12 Seven Stars

CHELMSFORD

5.30 Montevetro

6.00 Beagle Bay

6.30 Elements Of Fire

7.00 Spendmore Lane (nb)

7.30 Queensland Boy

8.00 Buraback

8.30 Royal Jet