Racing: Looking like a Hero again

Comeback jumper No Hero looked right on his game when he raced away to score by 14 lengths at Manawatu last start.

The bad news for the opposition in tomorrow's $40,000 United Contracting Hawkes Bay Steeplechase is that owner and trainer Paul Nelson says the horse has improved.

"The way he won last start there might not have looked like there was improvement in him, but he's tightened up considerably."

Those who have followed the unsound grey closely will not be surprised if he produces something even better this time.

No Hero has won four of his eight steeplechasing starts and looked headed for real stardom until leg problems sidelined him.

The steeplechase at Manawatu was No Hero's first jumping start in two years, but fortunately for his overall condition and ability to come back, he had a preparation last year before looming problems threw him out of work the week before his first jumping start.

"He was accepted for the Waverley 'chase, but his good leg started to show signs of stress and we didn't risk him," said Nelson.

Nelson says No Hero's 'bad' leg is not a pretty sight, but at the moment there are no soundness worries.

"The leg is thick, but it's hard and it's cold."

Lucky Tip and Bart are classy, but if No Hero is on his game, he will take plenty of stopping.

Nelson is aiming him at Riccarton's Grand National, missing out the Wellington Steeplechase.

"I feel the figure eight track at Trentham would suit him ideally, but when you get out onto the course proper for the run to the finish, it can be a real slog. If he was ever going to do damage to his bad leg, that's where it would be and I'd prefer not to take that risk."

Bart weakened out to tail the field at Ellerslie in his last jumping start. He did not have a lot of favours that day, the very heavy ground was against him and being taken on in front a long way out by eventual winner Command Performance completely brought him undone.

The heavy track this time will not ideally suit, but the flatter course will and Bart should be in the race for a long way.

Probably the main danger to No Hero is Lucky Tip, who was narrowly beaten into third in the Waikato Steeplechase.