Imperial Bede

Since his last victory at Catterick Bridge in February 2026, Imperial Bede has been searching for his fourth career win. His last six races read like the work of a horse hovering on the edge of breakthrough: a fourth, another fourth, a fifth, a second-place finish, another fifth, and then—just a day ago—a first-place result that breaks the losing streak. That win is significant after seven months without one. What really makes Imperial Bede worth following is his performance at his optimal distance of 1m6f to 2m, where he has won 1 of his 4 races (25%)—double his overall win rate. When the race is stretched out and stamina comes into play, he sharpens up noticeably.

The Jonjo O'Neill yard at Cheltenham clearly knows what makes this horse tick. The trainer and his son, jockey Jonjo O'Neill Jr, have worked together successfully with Imperial Bede: the younger O'Neill has ridden him to 3 wins from 19 races, a 16% win rate that outperforms the horse's overall figures. Their partnership has teeth. Where Imperial Bede truly struts his stuff is in Class 4 races—his bread and butter—where he has won 2 of his 12 entries (17%). That is his level, and he does it better than most. With momentum from yesterday's victory and the autumn ground soon to suit a horse who stays well, Imperial Bede may yet add another chapter to his modest but respectable career.