It’s the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown this Saturday with three Grade 1 races on an excellent seven-race card. Ireland usually manages to avoid the worst of the winter weather so Leopardstown has a good chance of going ahead but officials at Sandown will be hoping that the forecast snow and ice doesn’t materialise with the big betting race on the other side of the Irish Sea this weekend being the 888sport Heroes Handicap Hurdle.
Betfred Heroes Handicap Hurdle History and Trends
Betfred sponsored this Grade 3 event between 2014 and 2018 but 888sport now have their name on the racecard. The race itself is more than 30 years old and was sponsored by the Tote for many years. The value of the race was doubled last year and the gamble paid off with a high-quality entry. It is contested over just short of 3m and last year’s winner, Topofthegame, went on to finish second in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham.
Heroes Handicap Hurdle Winners Since 2000
| Year | Winner | Age | Weight | Trainer |
| 2000 | Rubhahunish | 9 | 10-06 | Nigel Twiston-Davies |
| 2001 | The Extra Man | 7 | 10-00 | Mick Ryan |
| 2002 | Iris Royal | 6 | 09-11 | Nicky Henderson |
| 2003 | Chopneyev | 5 | 10-05 | Richard Phillips |
| 2004 | Baracouda | 9 | 11-12 | Francois Doumen |
| 2005 | Supreme Serenade | 6 | 10-10 | Philip Hobbs |
| 2006 | Ungaro | 7 | 10-08 | Keith Reveley |
| 2007 | Taranis | 6 | 10-03 | Paul Nicholls |
| 2008 | The Tother One | 7 | 10-09 | Paul Nicholls |
| 2009 | Chief Yeoman | 9 | 10-10 | Venetia Williams |
| 2010 | Beshabar | 8 | 09-11 | Paul Nicholls |
| 2011 | Kilcrea Kim | 6 | 10-12 | Philip Hobbs |
| 2012 | No Race | – | – | – |
| 2013 | No Race | – | – | – |
| 2014 | No Race | – | – | – |
| 2015 | Invicta Lake | 8 | 10-9 | Sue Smith |
| 2016 | Saddlers Encore | 7 | 10-5 | Philip Hobbs |
| 2017 | Lord Of The Island | 9 | 10-10 | Fergal O’Brien |
| 2018 | Topofthegame | 6 | 11-7 | Paul Nicholls |
- Only one five-year-old has won since the turn of the century.
- Only one 10-year-old or older has been successful and that was back in 1988.
- Only two winners in the last 20 years have carried more than 10st 12lb to victory.
- Only one of the last 10 winners has been rated higher than 135.
- Most recent winners ran in a Class 3 or higher before turning up at Sandown.
- Both Philip Hobbs and Paul Nicholls have trained the winner on three occasions in the last 13 years.
Gordon Elliott’s Folsom Blue (14/1 with William Hill) was fourth last year, ahead of Man Of Plenty and Flemcara, and races off a 2lb lower mark. Champion jockey Richard Johnson rides and he stays all day but is now a 12-year-old and that is off-putting.
Nigel Twiston-Davies holds a strong hand with Ballymoy the 13/2 favourite with William Hill. The top weight has won six of his eight races over hurdles with his latest victory coming in this grade at Ascot. Another 5lb rise isn’t excessive given his progress but he will have his stamina to prove. The yard also run recent the useful Mr Antolini (a best 11/) but he’s also trying 3m for the first time. Recent Warwick winner The Hollow Ginge completes the trio.
Lord Napier looked certain to appreciate the step up in trip when third in the Lanzarote at Kempton and Peter Bowen’s charge (7/1 with Betfred) looks certain to overturn earlier Ascot running with Mr Antolini over a trip too short. Casko D’Airy (11/1 with William Hill) lacks experience but Paul Nicholls’ novice, impressive last time at Ascot, is a potential blot on the handicap and Lungarno Palace (a general 16/1) in another.
KEEPER HILL has a big weight but Warren Greatrex counteracts that by using 5lb claimer Harry Teal. His trainer’s runners have been in fantastic form, as the eight-year-old proved at Warwick three weeks ago. The Westerner gelding was a top staying novice a couple of years ago and is a Grade 2 winner over fences. Now back on song, he should give a good account in this as the general 9/1.
888sport Heroes Handicap Hurdle Current Best Odds
Ballymoy 13/2, Lord Napier 7/1, Keeper Hill 9/1, Mr Antolini and Casko D’Airy 11/1, Eminent Poet, Virginia Chick and Flemcara 12/1, Folsom Blue and Padleyourowncanoe 14/1, The Hollow Ginge and Lungarno Palace 16/1, Brio Conti and Mellow Ben 20/1, Full Glass and Ocean Cove 25/1, Dans Le Vent 33/1, Coole Cody, Man Of Plenty and Mr Clarkson 40/1
(Odds correct at 1.15pm January 31)
