Wreckless Eric on retrieval mission in Imperial Cup

Wreckless Eric could provide the perfect appetiser to the Cheltenham Festival for the Megson family if able to go one better than 12 months ago in Saturday’s Betfair Imperial Cup at Sandown.

It could be a huge week for Andrew Megson and his wife Jane, who will see their first-ever Grade One winner, the Scilly Isles hero Sixmilebridge, captain their select team at Prestbury Park looking to give them a second success at the showpiece meeting.

But first Jonjo and AJ O’Neill’s Wreckless Eric will bid to bounce back to form and avenge last year’s half-length reversal at the hands of possible race rival Go Dante in the £100,000 highlight at the Esher track.

“He hasn’t really done it for us this year but Jonjo is going to put headgear on him,” said Andrew Megson.

“A couple of times we’ve thought he would have a really good chance he hasn’t really got into the race, so we’ve been slightly disappointed with him. His true form, we hope, was his run in this race last season when he was finishing like a train and slightly unlucky not to nick it.

“We’re hoping going back to Sandown can reenergise him and he’s still only a six-year-old. He’s come down in the weights and you would hope he would have a fair chance, but he will need to leave his latest runs behind him.

“He’s working well, Jonjo and AJ are happy with him and it’s a great race we would love to win.”