Mondo Mann, once a promising Classic contender who competed at Royal Ascot, is back in Berkshire for the Ascot Rotary Club Festival Handicap Hurdle, aiming to achieve significant success over hurdles. He finished fifth in the 2024 French Derby, just four lengths behind Luc de Vega, and placed fourth behind Carandagan in the King Edward VII Stakes. After moving from France to join trainers Gary and Josh Moore, Ascot became the venue for his first hurdle race.
Purchased for 520,000 euros, second only to Lulamba, Mondo Mann has yet to make a significant impact on the hurdles but showed promise in his return at Lingfield as he eyes this prestigious race. Josh Moore reported that the horse is in excellent condition and at an ideal race weight, expressing optimism for his upcoming run. Moore also noted that Mondo Mann showed potential in his last race despite not being fully fit and hopes for an improved performance under different conditions on Saturday.
The goal is for Mondo Mann to have a good, running race, which suits his style, though such opportunities can be rare in handicap hurdles. Moore remains hopeful, emphasizing the horse’s current good form and his confidence in a strong showing.
Recently, Mondo Mann has overtaken Joe Tizzard’s Great Wood Hurdle winner Alexei as the favorite, with Brocade Racing’s owners eager to see if the talented hurdler can claim a third notable victory this season. Jockey Garth Bloom expressed cautious optimism, acknowledging the challenge Mondo Mann faces in conceding weight to strong rivals but remains hopeful for another impressive performance.
This race resembles last year’s fierce competition when Ben Poehling’s Proud battled, finishing fifth behind Alexei at Cheltenham before attempting to defend his title despite added weight. Poehling noted that Proud is in good shape but acknowledges that carrying seven pounds more will make the challenge tougher, especially against strong competitors. Nonetheless, the team will do their best regardless of weather conditions.
Trainer Dan Skelton is sending two strong contenders for Saturday’s big race: Live Conti, the Aintree Grade 1 runner-up, and stable favorite Favoir. Skelton is pleased with both horses, noting that Live Conti, who skipped a race at Newbury for extra preparation, remains in form. He is confident that the four-year-old Live Conti will not be over-raced and believes Favoir will continue to perform at a high level for a long time.
Fan Take: This race is a thrilling showcase for rising stars and seasoned contenders in hurdle racing, highlighting the depth of talent and competitive spirit in the sport. For fans, it offers an exciting glimpse into future champions and the evolving landscape of hurdle racing at prestigious venues like Ascot.
