The JCB Triumph Hurdle Tips (1:30pm)

StevieDay1983 · March 2

A race for four year olds only and they take in eight jumps over two miles. This race was taken hostage by the Irish last year as they not only won it the third year in a row but the first five home were all trained by Willie Mullins or Gordon Elliott. Vauban came out on top beating a useful field including the likes of Fil D'Or, Pied Piper and It Etait Temps.

Statistics-wise favourites have a disappointing record in the race and have only won four times within the last decade. Six of the last eight winners have used Leopardstown as a warm up for this race (Vauban, Quilixios, Farclas, Ivanovich Gorbatov, Tiger Roll and Our Conor). All of the last ten winners had their previous run within fifty-five days of this race. No French horse has won this since Snow Drop in 2000. Of the home contingent, Nicky Henderson has won the race four times in the last twenty years and two of those came within the last six (Peace And Co and Pentland Hills). Five of the last six winners of this race won last time out.

Lossiemouth

Was rather unfortunate at Leopardstown as she was given a brutal ride at the back of the field. When given the office to mount a challenge, her stablemate Jourdefete actually drifted back on top of her and she lost any sort of chance. It was left to another stablemate in Gala Marceau to pick up the prize as a consequence. This will likley attract a big field so she cannot afford to find herself in a similar position. Whether that has any bearing on how she runs here is anyone's guess. Her class may shine through.

Gala Marceau

Jumped well in the main and enjoyed the better fortune when beating Lossiemouth at the Dublin Racing Festival. He certainly wasnt stopping on the run to the line and whether she would have beaten him with better luck in running will always be open to scrutiny. Gala Marceau improved markedly from his first run and is likely to improve further going forward. He has to have every chance of lining up here and looks to be a major player.

Blood Destiny

Made all the running in a facile win at Punchestown back in January beating Common Practice by eighteen lengths. He is clearly a very useful sort and it was a clear improvement on what he had shown previously than when winning at Cork. Paul Townend will find it a difficult choice between the Mullins trio and you have to respect his decision either way. Blood Destiny carries the familiar colours of the great Florida Pearl and it would be great to see them back in the winners' enclosure at the Festival.

Comfort Zone

Clearly thrives on his racing and has been wonderfully consistent this year. The Joseph O'Brien trained youngster thrives on a soft surface and has won three of his last four races including last time out over the course and distance when beating Scriptwriter. He will certainly let the others know they have been in a battle. He was quite useful on the flat and won a race over a mile and a half. He is battle hardened and looks solid each way material.

Scriptwriter

Was unfortunate to lose his winning sequence at Cheltenham behind Comfort Zone last time. He too is as tough as they come and he has not looked over his shoulder since leaving Ballydoyle and joining Milton Harris. He knows every blade of grass on this track having won twice here over the winter and if there is to be a UK winner of this race, he is very likely to be it. He will have been freshened up for this by his astute trainer and provided he hasn't been over-raced, is likely to make his presence felt.

Nusret

Looks to have it all to do in order to reverse recent form with Blood Destiny and Lossiemouth. Had looked progressive earlier in the season but the yard looks to have a stronger contender in Comfort Zone. Looks up against it here.

Bo Zenith

Showed significant improvement from his first to his second start and won a decent looking juvenile hurdle race at Haydock just a few days ago. This will take a further step forward and he has yet to prove he is truly up to being graded class. He has no prior experience of Cheltenham and others look to have better chances.

Summary

This will be one hell of a race with so many exciting types ready to line up. Given what happened to Lossiemouth last time out at Leopardstown, there has to be question marks as to how she reacts to that. Paul Townend will have a nightmare trying to decide his mount and he may well prefer her conqueror Gala Marceau on this occasion. A horse that leaps out at current prices is Comfort Zone. He was a well regarded type on the flat and has done nothing but improve since being faced with hurdles. He took the noteable scalp of Scripwriter here last time and if the ground turns soft, he has to hold every chance.

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by Karl Hedley @Tumbleweed King

Tumbleweed King · March 17

hin fifty-five days of this race. No French horse has won this since Snow Drop in 2000. Of the home contingent, Nicky Henderson has won the race four times in the last twenty years and two of those came within the last six (Peace And Co and Pentland Hills). Five of the last six winners of this race won last time out.

Year	Horse	Age	Trainer	Jockey
2022	Vauban	4	Willie Mullins	Paul Townend
2021	Quilixios	4	Henry De Bromhead	Rachael Blackmore
2020	Burning Victory	4	Willie Mullins	Paul Townend
2019	Pentland Hills	4	Nicky Henderson	Nico De Boinville
2018	Farclas	4	Gordon Elliott	Jack Kennedy
2017	Defi Du Seuil	4	Philip Hobbs	Richard Johnson
2016	Ivanovich Gorbatov	4	Aidan O’Brien	Barry Geraghty
2015	Peace And Co	4	Nicky Henderson	Barry Geraghty
2014	Tiger Roll	4	Gordon Elliott	Davy Russell
2013	Our Conor	4	Dessie Hughes	Bryan Cooper
2012	Countrywide Flame	4	John Quinn	Dougie Costello

Below are selected runners competing for Triumph Hurdle. I shall provide some recent form notes to help point you in the right direction of identifying the winner.

Lossiemouth

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Paul Townend

Was rather unfortunate at Leopardstown as she was given a brutal ride at the back of the field. When given the office to mount a challenge, her stablemate Jourdefete actually drifted back on top of her and she lost any sort of chance. It was left to another stablemate in Gala Marceau to pick up the prize as a consequence. This will likely attract a big field so she cannot afford to find herself in a similar position. Whether that has any bearing on how she runs here is anyone’s guess. Her class may shine through.

Gala Marceau

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Danny Mullins

Jumped well in the main and enjoyed better fortune when beating Lossiemouth at the Dublin Racing Festival. He certainly wasn’t stopping on the run to the line and whether she would have beaten him with better luck in running will always be open to scrutiny. Gala Marceau improved markedly from his first run and is likely to improve further going forward. He has to have every chance of lining up here and looks to be a major player.

Blood Destiny

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Mr P W Mullins

Made all the running in a facile win at Punchestown back in January beating Common Practice by eighteen lengths. He is clearly a very useful sort and it was a clear improvement on what he had shown previously when winning at Cork. Paul Townend will find it a difficult choice between the Mullins trio and you have to respect his decision either way. Blood Destiny carries the familiar colours of the great Florida Pearl and it would be great to see them back in the winner’s enclosure at the Festival.

Zenta

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Mark Walsh

Completely unexposed and is now two from two over hurdles for her canny handler. As a filly she receives weight from her male counterparts and having won a Grade Three race on her most recent start, it would be foolish to dismiss her claims. Running in the familiar colours of JP McManus, she could well be anything and is of interest.

Jupiter Du Gite

Trainer: Gary Moore
Jockey: Niall Houlihan

Caught the eye when winning on their debut at Newbury back in December. He came here for a trial a few weeks ago over the course and distance and was ultimately put in his place. That was particularly disappointing and he is unlikely to trouble the Irish battalion in this.

The JCB Triumph Hurdle Key Trends

9 of the past 14 winners were unbeaten

6 of the past 8 winners started their careers in France

7 of the last 10 winners have been trained in Ireland