A FINE WEIN

King's Hel could be too hot to handle

- by JASON HEAVEY

HELNWEIN (3.35) can give Alan King a pre-Christmas boost in the big handicap at Ascot today.

The trainer has won the Ascot Rotary Club Hurdle - formerly sponsored by Ladbrokes - twice with Raya Star (2011) and Tritonic (2021).

And his strapping seven-year-old has a similar profile to that talented pair.

Helnwein produced a career best in the Greatwood Hurdle last month when chasing home the progressive Alexei, who he meets again on 9lb better terms.

The selection was beaten six lengths at Cheltenham but that was his seasonal debut while Alexei was race fit.

Helnwein looks overpriced at around the 12-1 mark.

DEEP CAVE (3.00, nb) made a striking winning chasing debut at Bangor and looks a fine staying prospect for trainer Christian Williams.