Heronry

Heronry was well backed all morning and again on-course prior to winning a two-and-a-half-mile novice handicap hurdle at Sandown last Friday, and he could still be quite nicely treated even after an 8lb rise to a mark of 120.

He travelled strongly behind a sedate enough early pace for the first mile of the race, but he came under pressure early as Lost Legend and Liberty Court went for home and quickened away from him from the front. He looked in trouble turning out of the back straight as the pace continued to increase, and he traded at high of 20/1 in-running but, in truth, Barry Geraghty never really looked overly concerned. When the rider started to get serious with him, he started to stay on really well from the top of the home straight, he hit the front on the run-in and drew away from Liberty Court, who in turn finished 10 lengths clear of the rest.

This was Heronry’s first run on ground slower than good to soft and, being by Heron Island, he wasn’t certain to appreciate it. Actually, it may not have been ideal for him, he just struggled to pick up in it initially, but it suited him insofar as it made the race a test of stamina. This was just his third run over hurdles, he was beaten 14 lengths in both of his previous two, but they are both working out quite well, and there should be much more to come from him when he steps up to three miles now, and probably granted a stronger pace. He has lots of scope for further progression over longer trips.

15th February 2013