Hefner shaped with bags of promise on his latest start and looks good value at 8/1 in the 3.20 at Epsom today.
The gelding won three times last year when trained by Richard Hannon, with his last success coming at ascot where he held on gamely to beat Dubai Dynamo by a head off a mark of 87.
Prior to that he had shown that he is effective with cut in the ground when a solid third of 7 to opinion at the same venue, and after winning over hurdles for Kim Bailey at Huntingdon in March he put up a cracking effort on his first run for Marco Botti when returned to the level at Chester earlier in the month.
He caught the eye in no uncertain fashion that day, staying on strongly to finish third of 10 to Captain Bertie off a mark of 89.
Although beaten 4 lengths, he had the worst of the draw that day in stall 13 and had to come from the rear of the field in a race which was run at a very strong gallop.
In the circumstances he ran a blinder without being unduly punished, and it was an effort which suggested that he would be winning more races this season.
He now gets into this off the same mark, and is just 2lb higher than his last success.
The son of Tagula has also fared far better with the draw this time in bagging stall 4, and with the ground conditions no problem and Andrea Atzeni in the saddle everything looks in place for a big run.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 2pts each-way Hefner (8/1 generally available – use BOG firms)
