Heroics proves just super at Wolverhampton

Heroics resumed his progression after securing a second win of the season with victory in the Self Storage Association Handicap at Wolverhampton on Tuesday.

Partnered for the first time by five-time champion Flat jockey Oisin Murphy, the son of Ulysses was not for stopping on in the one-mile-six-furlong contest.

Sent off the 5-4 favourite to add to his victory at Sandown Park in June, the three-year-old gelding found more than enough when called on for his effort to defeat runner-up Flash Kozo by three quarters of a length.

And while Heroics is likely to be given another chance to try and a bag a third win on the Flat, a switch to jumping appears to be on the cards later in the year.

Alan said: “Heroics was a nice winner on Tuesday. He is a grand big horse. We are only scratching the surface with him as well. He does doss a little bit in front, but it was very smooth to watch.

“It was just too quick the time before when he ran at Newmarket, but we are now back on track, and he should win again when we get a bit more rain.

“I’d imagine we will go schooling with him soon and have a juvenile hurdling campaign in the winter.”

Elsewhere on the same card at Dunstall Park stablemate Albertini Star ran another solid race when finishing third in the Surestore Self Storage Fillies’ Handicap over an extended mile.

And following that display the daughter of Acclamation is likely to be stepped up in trip on her next start.

Alan said: “We left the hood off on Tuesday, but she settled very well. She got a bit outpaced, but she ran on. We will definitely step her up to ten furlongs now. She is progressing all the time.

“She is starting to become quite straightforward, and she is running really well. I think a mile and a quarter will help as well. Once the rain comes we will get her back on turf.”

A switch to hurdling will also be on the agenda at some point for Barbury Boy, who was denied by a neck at Lingfield last Thursday in the Free Tips On attheraces.com Handicap.

Alan said: “Barbury Boy ran well at Lingfield. He seemed to appreciate the surface at Lingfield. He is another that will probably get schooled over hurdles soon as I imagine he will go juvenile hurdling this winter.

“I think he would now get a mile and a half on the flat now that he is learning to settle. We always thought he would get that trip, but he just over raced over that distance on his second run back at Haydock Park.

“I think now he is relaxing, and racing properly, he probably wants a mile and a half.”