The big betting race this weekend is the Betfred Mobile Heroes Handicap Hurdle over two and three-quarter miles at Sandown.
Only 12 remain from the original 28 entries and Harry Fry’s Polamco stands out at the weights. The six-year-old gelding is by Old Vic out of Shanesia by Erins Isle and will be having only his eighth race this weekend.
He showed plenty of promise in National Hunt flat races last season, winning at Taunton on his third start. He was placed in novice hurdles at Newton Abbot and Chepstow but has really come into his own over a longer trip. Noel Fehily sent him ahead with two to jump at Wincanton and he beat Muckle Roe by a length and a quarter off a mark of 114.
The handicapper put him up 7lbs next time for a hot race at Newbury. He raced quite keenly in front and was headed at the last by Morito Du Berlais. To his credit, he battled back and regained the advantage close home to win by a neck. The runner-up has run in some top staying handicaps at Cheltenham this season while Saffron Wells finished a couple of lengths away in third.
Saffron Wells was our each-way selection for the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton earlier this month but found Tea For Two much too good at the weights. He stuck on well enough to finish third and renews rivalry here with Polamco on 3lbs better terms. I expect Polamco to confirm the form, providing that he settles better than he did at Newbury.
Junction Fourteen was all the rage for the Lanzarote Hurdle last year but was already beaten when falling at the last. He ran well to finish fourth to Batavir at Wincanton on Boxing Day and could be returning to form. Imperial Leader was second to Irish Saint in heavy ground at Ascot last year and showed that he stays when third to Fingal Bay over a longer trip at Exeter.
Tony McCoy gave us our third big Saturday handicap winner in a row last weekend on If In Doubt and partners the top weight Mijhaar here. He was very useful on the flat but has not really shone over hurdles so far. He ran well when third to Dawalan at Aintree but could not win in much easier company at Ayr last time. Polamco gets the vote for Harry Fry to give the yard a boost ahead of Activial’s bid for the Betfair Hurdle a week on Saturday.
Polemco 3.0 Sandown Saturday @100-30 William Hill
