Champ Can End Dream Of Hat-trick

Ben Morgan tries hard to find one to beat Al Boum Photo

- Ben Morgan

Triumph Hurdle

This looks a race in the hands of the Irish and in particular Gordon Elliott as he trains both Zanahiyr & Quilixios. The former is the current ante post favourite for the race after three dominant performances in Ireland this season and his credentials seem to be backed up by the clock. He might well be the standout juvenile this year but at 9/4 in a race which has a tendency of throwing up a shock result, I’m happy to look elsewhere.

His stablemate also boasts solid claims after winning at the Dublin Racing Festival. He looks a better bet as he is a better price but the vibes suggest Zanahiyr is the favoured of the Elliott pair.

Of course Willie Mullins has an arrow to fire at the board too, although we won’t see French Aseel in Joe Donnelly’s colours until the Festival. Mullins wanted to give him some time to settle into his new routine after they bought him out of Ellemarie Holden’s yard. He had earlier hosed up at Leopardstown beating what looked to be a reasonable field and such a performance commanded a tidy sum. His new connections will be looking for an immediate return.

The Donnellys have another possible runner in the shape of Heross Du Seuil. Nicky Henderson’s horse was a fortunate winner at Kempton on debut as his main rival fell at the last hurdle but I felt it was a run full of promise whatever the result. He clearly took a blow turning in but once he found a second wind and Nico gave him a tap I thought he really picked up well. I’d say he is a stayer of the future and those types of horses tend to do well in the Triumph.