Cheltenham Festival - Triumph Hurdle Preview 2012

A large field and a relentless gallop is expected once again this year for the Triumph Hurdle – the championship race for two-mile juvenile hurdlers at the Cheltenham Festival.

The 2012 crop may not quite stand up to the field of twelve months ago when Paul Nicholls’ Zarkandar romped home, however an exciting and highly competitive contest looks in store nonetheless.

Much of the ante post betting was dominated by Dessie Hughes’ flat recruit Minsk who had been backed heavily into favouritism despite never jumping a flight of hurdles in public.

Disaster struck however for connections after Minsk’s long awaited reappearance at Fairyhouse, when the horse was found to have a throat infection after finishing second to Burrenbridge Lodge – a setback which has ultimately ruled the Irish Cesarewich champion out of the Festival.

The favourite’s baton has since been handed to Grumeti who has been mightily impressive in winning the Dovecote Hurdle at Newbury and the Triumph Hurdle trial over course and distance.

Alan King’s charge is highly thought of and his credentials are indeed bolstered by King’s superb record with juvenile hurdlers at the Festival.

The return of Robert Thornton to the saddle following injury means Grumeti will also have the perfect Triumph Hurdle pilot after previous successes aboard Penzance and Katchit – and as a worthy market leader he has to have a serious chance.

Baby Mix out of the Tom George yard finished a well beaten sixth to Grumeti at Cheltenham in January however he bounced back to form with a tremendous win in the Adonis Hurdle last time out.

That performance shooted Baby Mix into market prominence for the Festival and he currently sits as second favourite, above Sadler’s Risk whom he beat comfortably by two lengths.

But both Baby Mix and Sadler’s Risk look held by Grumeti in terms of the overall form lines, so likely dangers to the favourite could arise from elsewhere.

Nick Williams’ Urbain De Sivola has been quietly campaigned relative to many of the other runners however he has shown glimpses of real quality.

At 20/1, punters should take a major interest especially considering that Urbain De Sivola beat Ranjaan in nonchalant fashion at Newbury back in November, a horse who subsequently went on to record two wins of comparable ease before suffering injury.

It may be difficult for punters to judge that form line and its merits in respect of Grumeti but at such a huge price the gamble is surely worth the risk as he could be a classy animal – who may also benefit from a strongly run race to bring out his full ability and potential.

Balder Success may be perceived as Alan King’s second string however he has been very popular ante post and is now 8/1 whilst Pearl Swan is rock solid at 7/1 despite the possibility of being run in the Supreme Novice Hurdle.

Darroun and Hollow Tree are others who warrant a close check whilst Countrywide Flame may also be able to sneak a place at long odds of around 33/1.

Go To bet365

#Ad

03/03/2012     © Frixo 2024