The Heroes Handicap Hurdle, run over 2
miles 7½ furlongs at Sandown, is a favourite race of ours, not least
because Invicta Lake did us a favour last year, pulling clear on the
run-in to win by 4½ lengths at odds of 20/1.
Invicta Lake (20/1) is in the
11-strong field once again and, although 2lb out of the handicap
proper, is actually 1lb lower in the weights than when winning this
race last year. It can be argued that his preparation hasn’t gone
quite as well this time around, but he won in convincing style last
year, so it would be folly to write him off in his attempt for a
repeat. In the absence of Tom O’Brien, Gavin Sheehan, who has a
6-28 (21%) strike rate on hurdlers for Suzy Smith over the last five
seasons, is an able deputy.
Suzy Smith complicates matters by also
saddling Little Boy Boru (25/1), but the son of St. Leger winner
Brian Boru is also 2lb out of the handicap and remains 9lb higher in
the weights than when winning over 2 mile 4½ furlongs at Plumpton
ten starts ago. His recent form suggests he needs to drop a few more
pounds in the weights before he comes competitive once again, so
it’ll be a real surprise if he’s good enough to get involved
here.
Foxcub (20/1) began the current
campaign well enough, winning by the proverbial country mile at
Bangor on his second start before just being touched off by Simply A
Legend over 2 miles 5½ furlongs, off his revised mark, on this
course in December. He’s finished out with the washing on both
subsequent starts on heavy going, but is consequently just 1lb higher
in the weights than on his last visit to Sandown and could benefit
from the return to less testing conditions. Of course, he steps back
up in class and has his stamina to prove, but he’s surely better
than he’s shown the last twice.
Selections: Sandown 3.00 Invicta
Lake (20/1 with Coral), Foxcub (20/1 with Betfair
Sportsbook)
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