With the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase unlikely to have many entries, this Saturday’s big betting race at Sandown is likely to be the Betfred Mobile Heroes Handicap Hurdle.
Many bookmakers, including the sponsors, have already priced up the Grade 3 event which is run over just short of 3m. It promises to be a test of stamina as the ground at Sandown is already soft with the threat of more rain to come courtesy of Storm Doris, expected to bring high winds to the London area over the weekend.
Heroes Handicap Hurdle History and Trends
First run in 1986, the Heroes Handicap Hurdle was run over 2m5f up to 2003. That distance was then increased to 2m6f and the new distance places even more of an emphasis on stamina. Brilliant French stayer Baracouda is the biggest name on the roll of honour – he was successful in 2004 under 11st 12lb but he’s the only winner since 1998 to have carried more than 11st to victory. In 11 of the last 12 runnings, the winner has carried 10st 12lb or less. In the same period, there has been just one winner officially rated 136 or higher – eight of the winners have been rated between 125 and 135 and that’s a comparatively small area in which we can hunt for this year’s winner.
Decent recent form has been an advantage in the past and it generally also pays to have had a light campaign to date. Most winners had won a Class 3 race or better and in fields of 10 or more runners. Five-year-olds have fared badly but not as badly as those older than nine.
Behind Time (8/1 with BetVictor) runs in the famous green and gold of JP McManus. He won at Cheltenham in November and possibly found another race at Newbury 12 days later coming too soon. He will certainly have to do better here as he’s gone up 13lb in the weights but he has few miles on the clock and is worth another chance over 3m.
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Philip Hobbs and Richard Johnson have teamed up to win the Heroes Handicap Hurdle twice in the last three runnings. The Somerset trainer also won it in 2005 with Supreme Serenade and his ROLLING DYLAN appears to tick all the boxes this year.
Just beaten at Chepstow on his first try over 3m, he can confirm that running with Desert Sensation and Billy No Name. The six-year-old has form on heavy ground and won on the soft at Uttoxeter in November so conditions will hold no fears. He is favourite (6/1 with Boylesports) but deservedly so, in my opinion, and the one to beat.
Those looking for more value may one to consider Lord Of The Island (a general 11/1) as he ran well in the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton last month, though still has his stamina to prove. Fortunate George was beaten 10 lengths by Kk Lexion at Wincanton but is now 13lb better off and could be best of the rest at a general 16/1.
Betfred Mobile Heroes Handicap Hurdle Current Best Odds
Rolling Dylan (6/1), Behind Time, Desert Sensation and Mr Mix (8/1), El Terremoto (9/1), Ruacana and Kk Lexion (10/1), Lord Of The Island (11/1), Fortunate George (16/1), Billy No Name, Connetable, Fountains Windfall and Valhalla (20/1), Little Boy Boru (25/1), Ballyculla (33/1)
