William Hill Handicap Hurdle

Gary Moore knows what it takes to train the winner of the William Hill Handicap Hurdle having sent out Verasi to win it last year and Rob leach obliged for the East Sussex-based handler in 2001. This year he can complete a hat-trick courtesy of the lightly-raced Heathcote, who is an absolute steal at 16/1 with Blue Square. Stamina is going to be priceless at the Esher track on Saturday, particularly on the hurdles course, with the going set to be pretty testing. Invariably this race is run at a sound pace, so you really want to be concentrating on those that are proven over a bit farther, as things are likely to get messy coming up the stiff Sandown hill in the closing stages. It's also no coincidence that each of the last ten winners of this valuable contest have carried less than eleven stone to victory. At this stage of the season, many horses have still to reach their optimum level of fitness, so carrying a big weight in a race like this, what with the track and surface making for such a test, is a big, big ask. Heathcote has a nice racing weight of 10st 12lb, is proven on a stiff track and under testing conditions, plus stamina is his forte. Just the right cocktail of attributes needed to take this prize. Furthermore, the four-year-old, which, incidentally, is the age of five of the last six winners of this, comes into this Listed heat on the back of a highly encouraging effort. The son of Unfuwain was beaten just over two lengths into third behind a smart duo in Blazing Bailey and Slew Charm in a well-contested event at Haydock on November 18. The winner was beaten just six lengths when third to Detroit City in the Triumph Hurdle in March, which underlines how well Heathcote did to finish so close, albeit receiving a fair amount of weight from Blazing Bailey. All things considered, Heathcote looks sure to make his presence felt and appeals as a cracking each-way punt at current odds. The selection is one of a quartet of entries for Moore. Last year's hero Verasi merits respect as he will relish the prevailing conditions, but he has appeared to be in the handicapper's grip subsequently, and is still 10lb higher than last year. Guru and Nation State are both interesting, although the former needs to improve, while the latter will probably find the combination of the going and track making for too stiff a test. Meanwhile, market leader Self Respect will be a major player if his hurdling technique has improved since he chased home the exciting novice Kicks For Free at Haydock last time out. Trainer Alan King, who also has Sea The Light entered, but that gelding is unlikely to take part owing to underfoot conditions, has subsequently schooled Self Respect over fences with the objective of making sharpening him up at his obstacles. Indeed, described as "talented but ignorant' buy King, the four-year-old will be in trouble if his jumping is as tardy here as it was at Haydock. I also wonder whether his stamina will hold out up the hill, as he isn't proven under the predicted conditions, or on a track of this nature, so there's questions to be answered and, at a best-priced 8/1, I'm not willing to take the risk that he'll have the answers. Royals Darling is a slick enough hurdler, but he has a huge task under 11st 7lb. Fenix should give a good account, but is another that looks vulnerable owing to the weights, while the Irish-trained Well Mounted would come right into this if taking part, but his participation is looking unlikely. At the bottom of the handicap, two worth keeping an eye on are Overstrand and Star Shot. The former is an unpredictable sort, but has ability, and Star Shot is open to plenty of improvement and could easily reach the frame at a decent price. Verdict - 1pt e/w Heathcote @ 16/1 (Blue Square)