Mondo back at Ascot looking to be the main Man

Mondo Man was once a Classic hopeful who ran at Royal Ascot, but now he has the chance to land significant riches over hurdles when he returns to Berkshire for the Ascot Rotary Club Festive Handicap Hurdle.

Fifth and only beaten four lengths behind Look De Vega in the French Derby in 2024, he went on to finish fourth to Calandagan in the King Edward VII Stakes, with Ascot also being the scene of his hurdling bow having left his native France to join Gary and Josh Moore.

The €520,000 purchase was second to Lulamba on that occasion and although yet to make his mark over timber, showed encouraging signs in his Lingfield return ahead of his shot at this valuable prize for a team in top order.

Josh Moore said: “He’s in great form at home and has a nice racing weight so we’re hoping he will go well.

“We were very happy with his comeback run at Lingfield because he wasn’t ready then. He looked the winner coming to the last then fitness told. Hopefully he has come on for it and he’ll run a better race on Saturday – it will be different conditions but hopefully he can show his best.

“You would like to think you will get a true run race, which is what he needs, but you don’t always get them in these handicap hurdles, so we will live in hope rather than expectation.

“The horses are running well so hopefully he can go close and I think he can.”

Mondo Man has usurped Joe Tizzard’s Greatwood Hurdle winner Alexei from the top of the betting in the past few days and owners Brocade Racing are eager to see if their improving hurdler can defy top weight and provide a third memorable victory of the season.

Brocade’s Garth Broom said: “We’re looking forward to it and it will prove which way we’re going one way or the other. He’s in good form and we hope he will run well but it will be quite the task as he’s got to give a lot of weight away to some decent horses.

“He’s surprised us both times he has won and maybe he will surprise us again, but we’re trying to keep our feet on the ground and not get too carried away.”

This race went the way of Ben Pauling’s Fiercely Proud 12 months ago and after finishing fifth behind Alexei at Cheltenham, he is back to defend his crown – albeit off a 7lb higher figure.

Pauling said: “He’s in good form and we were umming and ahhing whether we go chasing or leave him hurdling again for this season.

“He’s in great form but he’s 7lb higher than last year so it will be a harder task and there will be a few decent ones in there as well.

“We’ll give it our best shot and any rain wouldn’t hurt if it comes.”

Meanwhile, Dan Skelton fires two darts in his attempt to land another major Saturday prize, with both Aintree Grade One runner-up Live Conti and stable stalwart Faivoir lining up.

Skelton said: “I’m very happy with both horses. Live Conti went to Newbury  three weeks ago and didn’t run and the extra bit of work since then will have done him no harm.

“He’s only four and I haven’t wanted to over-race him, so I have been waiting.

“I can assure you now, Faivoir will run his best race for a long while, he is absolutely flying.”