15:07 Sandown

Saturday 1 February 2025

All12:5013:2514:0014:3515:0715:4216:12

Virgin Bet Heroes Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:07 | Winning time: 6m 28.34s

Shoot First⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Philip Byrnes⁽³⁾| T: C Byrnes| OR: 145

15/2

A very useful hurdler who has already landed a valuable 15-runner handicap at Haydock (24.3f, heavy) this season, showing his liking for this sort of ground. Tough ask in the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle last time but would have finished closer for a mistake 2 out. Very interesting back in a handicap.

Form: 281/519

Goshen¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: N F Houlihan| T: G & J Moore| OR: 138| C

33/1

Very smart hurdler in his pomp but generally struggled to find form over the smaller obstacles last season. Opened his chase account at third attempt on final run last term but that wasn't a strong race and has questions to answer now having been pulled up on comeback run over hurdles two weeks ago.

Form: 44931-P

Red Dirt Road³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 133

13/2

Building up an impressive record over hurdles, having won 3 times from only 7 starts. Latest was a career best, responded well to positive tactics, making all to land a 9-runner handicap hurdle at Aintree (20f, soft) but front runners were favoured that day. Open to more improvement now up in trip.

Form: 214/2-51

Henri The Second⁵⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 133| CD

9/4

Grade 2 winner here as a novice and built on good comeback run after 12 months off with dominant victory (second and third have won since) over C&D 56 days ago, travelled well and found plenty in testing conditions. This race would have been his target since and he has lots in his favour here.

Form: 42P/4-41

Flight Deck^v⁶⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: Ellis Collier⁽⁵⁾| T: Deborah Cole| OR: 132

28/1

Useful but inconsistent handicapper who was a good second at Newton Abbot (21.5f) earlier in the season benefitting from a positive ride and change of headgear. Out of his depth in a Grade 2 last time and while he should fare better in calmer waters with visor refitted, he comes with risks attached.

Form: 70-0524

Deep Cave¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams| OR: 130

9/1

Steadily progressive in four runs for current yard, latest effort a promising one when fourth of 12 in a decent handicap at Windsor (24f, good to soft) 13 days ago. No surprise to see him give another good account here.

Form: 510554

Major Fortune³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 125| D

20/1

Big improver when stepped up to 2½m+ last season, winning 5 on the spin. Picked up where he left off when scoring with plenty in hand at Newton Abbot (17f) in October but struggled off 9 lb higher mark in two runs since and handicapper has only eased his grip slightly here,

Form: 112-166

Dartmoor Pirate³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 124

15/2

Lightly-raced hurdles winner who has finished second on 4 of his last 5 starts over the smaller obstacles. Didn't take to chasing this season but back on track when good second of 10 in a handicap hurdle at Wincanton (24.7f, soft) 37 days ago but needs to improve again in a stronger race.

Form: 2242-62

Hauraki Gulf³²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-5| J: Cameron Iles⁽⁷⁾| T: Deborah Cole| OR: 122| D

11/1

Good chase runner-up at Newton Abbot (25.8f) in May and posted decent efforts over hurdles this autumn. Disappointed returned to fences this season but bounced back with a decent second of 10 in handicap hurdle at Warwick (26f, soft, 10/1) 32 days ago. More needed facing better opposition here.

Form: U-22272

What A Johnny^t,p1³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: G Sheehan| T: O Murphy| OR: 120

12/1

Novice/handicap winner last season and has advanced his form again this term Ran with credit in tongue-tie when third at Cheltenham (24f, soft) 31 days ago having been unsuited by moderate gallop. First-time cheekpieces should suit and this greater stamina test should be to his liking. Claims.

Form: 31-2633

Idefix De Ciergues^p³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Ben Jones| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 119

12/1

Winner over hurdles and fences already this season and denied a 3-timer by another hat-trick seeking rival when second of 9 in a handicap hurdle at Cheltenham (24f, soft), although was ideally placed off a slow gallop. Not fully exposed a stayer and has each-way claims off a low racing weight,

Form: 2-44112

Gaye Legacy³¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Benjamin Poste| T: T Symonds| OR: 116| D

16/1

Winner of a pair of handicap hurdles last season, including on testing ground at Newbury, Signed off with a creditable second at Wincanton in March but hasn't been seen since and this looks a tough ask making her reappearance in a warm race from 3 lb out of the handicap.

Form: 122152-

Lucky One³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Roisin Leech⁽⁷⁾| T: J Candlish| OR: 115

80/1

Pulled up on final start for Dan Skelton in May 2022. Successful twice at Auteuil for Sophie Leech since but shaped as if needed run for new connections when ninth of 11 in a handicap hurdle (66/1) at Newbury (20.5f, good to soft) 35 days ago. Should be fitter but has a lot on his plate here.

Form: 1/6886-9

Forecasts

Henri The Second (9/4), Red Dirt Road (13/2), Dartmoor Pirate (15/2), Shoot First (15/2), Deep Cave (9/1), Hauraki Gulf (11/1), Idefix De Ciergues (12/1), What A Johnny (12/1), Gaye Legacy (16/1), Major Fortune (20/1), Flight Deck (28/1), Goshen (33/1), Lucky One (80/1)

HENRI THE SECOND could hardly have been more dominant when scoring under similar conditions over C&D last time and with the form of that win having been franked since, he has good claims to follow up. Shoot First has already raided these shores to claim a valuable pot this season, and he's a big danger now back in a handicap. 7 y-os and Deep Cave and What A Johnny both remain relatively unexposed over staying trips and should run well.