2011 Jcb Triumph Hurdle Form

Race OverviewNicky Henderson has a fine record in this race and he is strongly represented again by Grandouet, A Media Luz and Molotof, but ZARKANDAR looked a top-class prospect when beating the last-named on his hurdling debut at Kempton and that form was boosted by the third in Wednesday's Fred Winter. He looks the pick of the Nicholls trio and will be a tough nut to crack. Third Intention could go well if the ground does not deteriorate much while plenty of rain would help the leading Irish candidate Unaccompanied.[Adrian Cook]

Odds provided by Paddypower

No.		Runner	Details	Rating
1		Aikideau (FR) L Aspell R Rowe	4 yrs / 154 lbs 46	-

CommentAikideau

Not achieved enough to suggest he can take a hand

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
26/02/11	KEM 16GS 4yCl1 G2Hd,12K	152 lbs	Leighton Aspell	6/9 36l, Zarkandar[8/1]10-12
11/12/10	Pau 17VSft 3yHd,13K	141 lbs	Gaetan Olivier	4/4Tonic Mellysse[10/1]10-1

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2

Architrave R Johnson T Vaughan

4 yrs / 154 lbs 1110

136

CommentArchitrave

Useful early-season juvenile; blew out here in November latest

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
13/11/10	CHL 16GS 3yCl1 G2Hd,14K	160 lbs	Richard Johnson	13/15 81 1/4l, Sam Winner[5/1]10-12
25/09/10	MAR 17Gd 3yCl2 Hd,8K	160 lbs	Richard Johnson	1/14 5l, Two Kisses[100/30]10-13
05/09/10	FON 18Gd 3yCl4 Hd,3K	159 lbs	Richard Johnson	1/10 10l, Optimistic Duke[4/9F]10-12
19/08/10	STR 16GF 3yCl3 Hd,5K	152 lbs	Richard Johnson	1/6 15l, Bubbly Braveheart[10/11F]10-12
07/07/10	CAT 15GFCl4Hc,4K	116 lbs	Paul Hanagan	4/5 14 1/4l, Bergonzi[7/4F]9-11

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3

Brampour (IRE) H Skelton P Nicholls

4 yrs / 154 lbs 31

132

CommentBrampour

Taunton winner but not yet matched useful Flat form

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
10/02/11	TAU 17GdCl4 MdHd,3K	147 lbs	Harry Skelton	1/14 13l, Clowance House[2/1]11-3
15/01/11	KEM 16GS 4yCl4 Hd,3K	152 lbs	Harry Skelton	3/11 3 1/2l, Kazzene[13/8F]10-12 cheekpiece
15/08/10	Dea 15VSft 3yLis,24K	123 lbs	Ioritz Mendizabal	2/8 Hd, Le Larron[11/1]8-11
27/06/10	Sai 12GS 3y,25K	123 lbs	Christophe-Patrice Lemaire	4/7Zack Hall[53/10]8-11
10/05/10	Cha 10Gd 3yHc,24K	125 lbs	Christophe-Patrice Lemaire	1/16 Sht-hd, Kenmour[6/4F]9-0 cheekpiece

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4

First Fandango S Thomas T Vaughan

4 yrs / 154 lbs 11

135

CommentFirst Fandango

2-2 over hurdles but big step forward needed tried in visor

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
03/01/11	AYR 16Gd 4yCl4 Hd,2K	152 lbs	Mr Tom David	1/11 Hd, Vosges[5/4F]10-9
22/11/10	Ffo 16GS 3yCl4 Hd,3K	152 lbs	Richard Johnson	1/6 3 3/4l, Killusty Fancy[2/7F]10-12
28/09/10	BRI 11GFCl3Hc,7K	116 lbs	Chris Catlin	2/8 5l, Harlestone Times[17/2]8-4
08/09/10	EPS 12Gd 3yCl4Hc,6K	126 lbs	Eddie Ahern	2/7 1 1/4l, Epic[10/1]9-4 blinkers
15/08/10	BAT 11GdCl5 Md,2K	128 lbs	Eddie Ahern	1/6 1/2l, Vibrant Force[3/1]8-9

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5

Grandouet (FR) B J Geraghty N Henderson

4 yrs / 154 lbs 1-5211

148

CommentGrandouet

Won with plenty to spare last twice; yard fine record in this

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
22/01/11	ASC 16GS 4yCl3 Hd,4K	162 lbs	Barry Geraghty	1/9 6l, Two Kisses[4/9F]11-1
29/12/10	NBY 16GS 3yCl3 Hd,5K	162 lbs	A P McCoy	1/8 4 1/2l, A Media Luz[11/10F]10-5
13/11/10	CHL 16GS 3yCl1 G2Hd,14K	160 lbs	A P McCoy	2/15 15l, Sam Winner[8/1]10-12
29/10/10	WET 16Gd 3yCl1 LisHd,9K	160 lbs	Barry Geraghty	5/13 14 1/2l, Maoi Chinn Tire[3/1]10-12
23/04/10	Eng 16VSft 3yHd,20K	152 lbs	Bertrand Lestrade	1/9 20l+, Sivola Gambler[2/1F]10-1 blinkers

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6

Houblon Des Obeaux (FR) A Coleman Miss V Williams

4 yrs / 154 lbs 9B2221

148

CommentHoublon Des Obeaux

Smart in mud but quicker conditions a concern

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
19/02/11	HAY 16Hy 4yCl2 Hd,7K	160 lbs	Aidan Coleman	1/5 3/4l, Third Intention[5/4F]11-3
08/01/11	CHP 16Sft 4yCl1 G1Hd,20K	154 lbs	Aidan Coleman	2/8 2 3/4l, Marsh Warbler[20/1]11-0
23/10/10	Eng 17VSft 3yHd,20K	148 lbs	Nicolas Moisson	2/13 10l+, Rajdhani Express[45/1]10-6
16/09/10	Eng 17VSft 3yHd,20K	148 lbs	Nicolas Moisson	BD/19Task Force Sivola[34/1]10-1

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7

Kuilsriver (IRE) J M Maguire Mrs A Thorpe

4 yrs / 154 lbs 2722

120

CommentKuilsriver

Yet to win in bumpers/hurdles; flying much too high here

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
06/02/11	FON 18GS 4yCl4 Hd,2K	152 lbs	Daryl Jacob	2/11 14l, Whitby Jack[13/8F]10-12
15/01/11	KEM 16GS 4yCl4 Hd,3K	152 lbs	Jason Maguire	2/11 1 1/2l, Kazzene[33/1]10-12 cheekpiece
01/01/11	CHL 14GS 4yCl1 LisNHF,8K	152 lbs	Daryl Jacob	7/16 12l, Keys[40/1]11-2
07/11/10	Ffo 14GS 3yCl5 NHF,2K	152 lbs	Christian Williams	2/12 1 1/2l, Keys[20/1]10-12

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8

Local Hero (GER) R Flint S Gollings

4 yrs / 154 lbs 1114

140

CommentLocal Hero

Better ground will suit but needs to sharpen up his jumping

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
19/02/11	HAY 16Hy 4yCl2 Hd,7K	160 lbs	Graham Lee	4/5 14 3/4l, Houblon Des Obeaux[3/1]11-6
29/01/11	CHL 17GS 4yCl1 G2Hd,13K	158 lbs	A P McCoy	1/7 2l, Third Intention[15/8F]11-4
12/01/11	DON 16Gd 4yCl4 Hd,2K	159 lbs	A P McCoy	1/6 2 3/4l, Franklino[1/4F]10-12
24/11/10	WET 16Sft 3yCl5 MdHd,2K	152 lbs	A P McCoy	1/9 6l, Dhaafer[4/6F]10-12
02/11/10	CAT 11SftCl5 Md,2K	129 lbs	Darryll Holland	1/12 2 1/4l, Protaras[7/2]9-3

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9

Mister Carter (IRE) W J Lee T Stack

4 yrs / 154 lbs 14

133

CommentMister Carter

Disappointed in Grade 3 after impressive hurdling debut

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
08/01/11	PUN 16Hy 4yG3Hd,15K	150 lbs	W J Lee	4/7 10 3/4l, Tillahow[2/1]10-10
28/12/10	LIM 16Sft/Hy 3yMdHd,6K	154 lbs	W J Lee	1/15 2 1/2l, Tillahow[9/2]11-0
11/06/10	NAV 10GF 3y,13K	126 lbs	W M Lordan	2/4 1l, Buy Back Bob[5/1]9-0
13/05/10	GOW 12GF 3y,10K	126 lbs	W M Lordan	5/5 4l, Rain Forest[8/1]9-0
18/04/10	LEO 10GF 3yG3,29K	127 lbs	W M Lordan	8/8 9 3/4l, Puncher Clynch[13/2]9-1

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10

Molotof (FR) A Tinkler N Henderson

4 yrs / 154 lbs 222

143

CommentMolotof

Smart but hard to see him turning tables on Zarkandar

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
26/02/11	KEM 16GS 4yCl1 G2Hd,12K	152 lbs	Barry Geraghty	2/9 2 1/4l, Zarkandar[3/1]10-12
04/01/11	Pau 17Sft 4yHd,12K	146 lbs	Julien Carayon	2/3Kauto Sweety[7/2]10-3
21/12/10	Pau 17VSft 3yHd,13K	141 lbs	Julien Carayon	2/3Taoiri[6/1]10-1

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11

New Den C Gillies J Boyle

4 yrs / 154 lbs 7

-

CommentNew Den

Miles out of depth, blundered way round on hurdling debut

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
02/03/11	FOL 17SftCl5 MdHd,2K	147 lbs	Sam Thomas	7/7 70l, Super Directa[22/1]11-1
29/01/11	LIN 12StCl5 Md,2K	129 lbs	Nicky Mackay	5/6 14 1/4l, Money Money Money[4/1]9-2 blinkers(1
20/01/11	LIN 12StCl5 Md,2K	129 lbs	Nicky Mackay	2/8 6l, Zafranagar[3/1]9-0
14/01/11	LIN 12StCl5 Md,2K	129 lbs	Nicky Mackay	3/9 3 1/2l, Mister Frosty[9/1]9-7
07/01/11	WOL 12St/Slw 4-6yCl6 AuMd,2K	129 lbs	Nicky Mackay	2/9 3 1/2l, Gearbox[3/1]9-7

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12

Sailors Warn (IRE) Andrew J McNamara E O'Grady

4 yrs / 154 lbs 3412

142

CommentSailors Warn

Best in the mud, no excuses when second to Unaccompanied latest

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
12/02/11	LEO 16Hy 4yG1Hd,39K	154 lbs	Andrew J McNamara	2/11 3l, Unaccompanied[9/2]10-9
30/12/10	LEO 16Sft/Hy 3yG2Hd,29K	152 lbs	Andrew J McNamara	1/10 3 1/2l, Fearless Falcon[12/1]10-12 blinkers
15/12/10	FAI 16Sft 3yG3Hd,17K	149 lbs	Andrew J McNamara	4/9 7 1/4l, Toner D'Oudairies[4/1]10-9
31/10/10	COR 16Hy 3yHd,9K	147 lbs	Andrew J McNamara	3/14 5l, Silas Mariner[2/1F]10-7 cheekpiece
24/08/10	SLI 10Y/SftMd,5K	131 lbs	W J Lee	1/15 4 1/2l, Battleoftrafalgar[3/1]9-0 blinkers

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13

Sam Winner (FR) R Walsh P Nicholls

4 yrs / 154 lbs 2-2114

146

CommentSam Winner

Sparkled here in November but not matched that form since

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
08/01/11	CHP 16Sft 4yCl1 G1Hd,20K	154 lbs	A P McCoy	4/8 6 1/4l, Marsh Warbler[8/13F]11-0
11/12/10	CHL 17GS 3yCl2 Hd,8K	161 lbs	Noel Fehily	1/12 6l, Pullyourfingerout[4/7F]11-3
13/11/10	CHL 16GS 3yCl1 G2Hd,14K	152 lbs	Noel Fehily	1/15 15l, Grandouet[4/1]11-6
30/04/10	Aut 15VSft 3yHd,25K	146 lbs	Bertrand Thelier	2/8 2l+, Grand Charly[19/5]10-8
07/04/10	Aut 15Hy 3yHd,22K	146 lbs	Bertrand Thelier	2/10 2l+, Grand Charly[4/1]10-6

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14

Sir Pitt D P Fahy Mrs A Thorpe

4 yrs / 154 lbs 4U3

118

CommentSir Pitt

Best in slow conditions; no reason to fancy here

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
21/02/11	HER 17HyCl4 MdHd,2K	147 lbs	D P Fahy	3/13 2 3/4l, Old Way[22/1]11-2
08/02/11	MAR 17Gd 4yCl4 Hd,2K	152 lbs	Daryl Jacob	UR/6Higgy's Ragazzo[7/2]10-12
27/01/11	WAR 16GS 4yCl4 MdHd,3K	154 lbs	Daryl Jacob	4/14 26l, Dhaafer[20/1]11-0
04/10/10	WAR 14Hy 3yCl5Hc,3K	133 lbs	Robert Havlin	2/8 6l, Tobernea[9/1]9-3
04/09/10	KEM 16St 3yCl4Hc,4K	131 lbs	Frankie Dettori	4/6 42 1/2l, Tuscan Gold[9/2]9-5

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15

Smad Place (FR) R Thornton A King

4 yrs / 154 lbs 62131

147

CommentSmad Place

Looks as if stamina strong suit; rain would help

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
19/02/11	WCN 16GSCl4 NvHd,2K	154 lbs	Robert Thornton	1/15 2 1/4l, Jump City[1/4F]10-13
08/01/11	CHP 16Sft 4yCl1 G1Hd,20K	154 lbs	Wayne Hutchinson	3/8 3 1/2l, Marsh Warbler[9/4]11-0
26/11/10	NBY 16GS 3yCl3 Hd,7K	152 lbs	Wayne Hutchinson	1/9 27l, Dolatulo[8/1]11-8
19/07/10	Chb 17GS 3yHd,9K	143 lbs	Mehdi Dahdouh	2/3Taikanous[59/1]10-3
13/06/10	Nio 17GS 3yHd,6K	143 lbs	Mehdi Dahdouh	6/6Griffyn[27/1]9-13

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16

Third Intention (IRE) J Tizzard C Tizzard

4 yrs / 154 lbs 122

138

CommentThird Intention

Progressing well; quicker ground could see another step forward

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
19/02/11	HAY 16Hy 4yCl2 Hd,7K	157 lbs	Joe Tizzard	2/5 3/4l, Houblon Des Obeaux[7/2]11-6
29/01/11	CHL 17GS 4yCl1 G2Hd,13K	158 lbs	Joe Tizzard	2/7 2l, Local Hero[5/2]11-4
15/12/10	NBY 16Gd 3yCl4 Hd,4K	152 lbs	Joe Tizzard	1/16 2 3/4l, Titan De Sarti[16/1]10-12
03/07/10	BEL 12GFMd,5K	131 lbs	D P McDonogh	1/13 4 1/2l, Don Leone[7/1]9-5
21/05/10	WEX 11Fm 3yMd,5K	131 lbs	D P McDonogh	4/10 8 1/2l, Foolish Comment[16/1]9-5

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17

Tillahow (IRE) D N Russell M Morris

4 yrs / 154 lbs 3217

139

CommentTillahow

Useful in the mud but well held behind Unaccompanied latest

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
12/02/11	LEO 16Hy 4yG1Hd,39K	154 lbs	A P Heskin	7/11 20 3/4l, Unaccompanied[20/1]10-9
08/01/11	PUN 16Hy 4yG3Hd,15K	150 lbs	D N Russell	1/7 Nk, Fearless Falcon[9/2]10-10 blinkers
28/12/10	LIM 16Sft/Hy 3yMdHd,6K	154 lbs	M J Ferris	2/15 2 1/2l, Mister Carter[4/1C]11-0
16/12/10	CLO 16Sft 3yMdHd,5K	154 lbs	D N Russell	3/15 12l, Kristal Komet[9/2F]10-9
22/07/10	LEO 12Y 3yMd,8K	131 lbs	P J Smullen	1/9 3l, Devils Bit[2/1]9-5

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18

Trop Fort (FR) T Scudamore D Pipe

4 yrs / 154 lbs 11F

-

CommentTrop Fort

Looked booked for second when falling at last on hurdling debut

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
10/02/11	TAU 17GdCl4 MdHd,3K	147 lbs	Tom Scudamore	F/14Brampour[15/8F]10-7
29/11/10	Par 12St 3yNHF,13K	139 lbs	Ronan Thomas	1/3 [7/5F]
03/09/10	Mli 11Gd 3yNHF,6K	137 lbs	Sebastien Maillot	1/3 [4/1]

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19

Walter De La Mare (IRE) R M Power J Murphy

4 yrs / 154 lbs

-

CommentWalter De La Mare

Beaten long way on last month's hurdling debut

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
19/02/11	GOW 16Sft/Hy 4yMdHd,6K	161 lbs	P Townend	11/20 68l+, Rigidity[10/1]11-7
29/09/10	SLI 10Y/SftHc,9K	117 lbs	G F Carroll	1/16 Nk, Golden Nugget[10/1]8-4
24/08/10	SLI 10Y/Sft 3yApHc,6K	134 lbs	G F Carroll	1/16 1 3/4l, Apache Drums[4/1J]8-12
30/07/10	GAL 8GF 3yHc,8K	129 lbs	G F Carroll	8/18 6 1/2l, Days Ahead[5/1]9-6 cheekpiece
23/07/10	WEX 10Y 3yCl,4K	130 lbs	G F Carroll	2/13 2l, One For Joules[6/1]8-8

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20

Zarkandar (IRE) D Jacob P Nicholls

4 yrs / 154 lbs 1

-

CommentZarkandar

Big player on impressive hurdling debut win at Kempton

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
26/02/11	KEM 16GS 4yCl1 G2Hd,12K	152 lbs	Daryl Jacob	1/9 2 1/4l, Molotof[8/1]10-12
30/08/10	Dea 15GS 3y,13K	130 lbs	Gerald Mosse	3/7 0.9, Orluna[13/10F]9-1
05/08/10	Dea 13GS 3y,13K	130 lbs	Gerald Mosse	2/9 Nk+, Monterrey[6/4F]8-11
08/07/10	Cla 12GS 3y,10K	128 lbs	Gerald Mosse	1/3 [18/5]

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21

A Media Luz (FR) A P McCoy N Henderson

4 yrs / 147 lbs 72F1

137

CommentA Media Luz

Smart on Flat; now going right way over hurdles

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
10/02/11	HUN 16GS 4yCl2 Hd,7K	145 lbs	Barry Geraghty	1/5 18l, Pantxoa[8/15F]11-6
15/01/11	KEM 16GS 4yCl4 Hd,3K	145 lbs	Barry Geraghty	F/11Kazzene[5/2]10-12 cheekpiece
29/12/10	NBY 16GS 3yCl3 Hd,5K	145 lbs	Andrew Tinkler	2/8 4 1/2l, Grandouet[7/1]11-8
11/12/10	CHL 17GS 3yCl2 Hd,8K	147 lbs	Barry Geraghty	7/12 30l, Sam Winner[9/2]11-7
13/06/10	Cha 10Sft 3yG1,405K	126 lbs	Thierry Thulliez	6/9 11 1/2l+, Sarafina[40/1]9-0

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22

High Ransom F Keniry M D Hammond

4 yrs / 147 lbs 21

112

CommentHigh Ransom

Looked stayer when winning narrowly at Carlisle

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
09/02/11	CRL 17HyCl4 NvHd,2K	140 lbs	Barry Keniry	1/11 Nk, Bow Badger[11/8F]11-10
24/01/11	WET 16GS 4yCl5 MdHd,2K	147 lbs	Barry Keniry	2/9 nse, Tigre D'Aron[11/1]11-0
17/10/10	BAT 17Gd 3yCl5Hc,2K	131 lbs	Philip Robinson	6/8 17l, Sula Two[9/2]9-7
20/07/10	KEM 16St 3yCl5Hc,2K	129 lbs	Philip Robinson	4/8 7 3/4l, Spice Fair[11/4]8-13
02/07/10	HAY 14GF 3yCl5Hc,3K	133 lbs	Neil Callan	2/8 5l, Motrice[12/1]9-7

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23

Unaccompanied (IRE) P Townend D Weld

4 yrs / 147 lbs 11

142

CommentUnaccompanied

Leading Irish juvenile hurdler in the mud; could use some rain

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
12/02/11	LEO 16Hy 4yG1Hd,39K	149 lbs	P Townend	1/11 3l, Sailors Warn[5/2F]11-0
31/12/10	PUN 16Sft/Hy 3yMdHd,6K	149 lbs	P Townend	1/7 9l, Virgil Earp[4/5F]11-0
29/08/10	CUR 8GFHc,53K	124 lbs	P J Smullen	18/25 14 3/4l, Hujaylea[10/1]8-3 cheekpiece
20/08/10	KLN 8Y 3-4y,8K	128 lbs	P J Smullen	1/6 3l, Alsalwa[13/8J]9-2
28/07/10	GAL 8GF 3-4yMd,9K	126 lbs	P J Smullen	1/8 2l, Barrow Island[13/8F]9-2

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The first JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial race took place at the Cheltenham Open Meeting back in November and we had a hugely impressive winner in Sam Winner, he looked like horse with a huge future ahead of him for Champion trainer Paul Nicholls. He hacked up at the Open meeting to win by 15 lengths to leave bookmakers and punters equally impressed ahead of the Triumph Hurdle itself and followed that up with an equally impressive win at the International Meeting to strengthen his claims.

Sam Winner did disappoint though last time out when 4th behind Marsh Warbler and Smad Place at Chepstow in the Future Champions Juvenile Hurdle. He failed to pick up when an odds on favourite and although the soft ground could be blamed his chances have taken a hit. He could yet head to the Supreme Novices Hurdle on day 1 at the Festival if better ground is expected with the Triumph the other choice with connections watching the skies.

Smad Place proved he is one to look out for in the Triumph Hurdle picture after he won well at Newbury in the Q Associates Juvenile Hurdle back in November, the Alan King horse followed that up with a third place behind Marsh Warbler at Chepstow in the Future Champions Hurdle. He stayed on well at Chepstow but never looked like winning to leave punters to decide on him, they were helped last time out when Smad Place won the Bathwick Tyres Novices Hurdle at Wincanton to consolidate his claims.

Toner D'Oudairies looked like a Triumph Hurdle contender for the Irish team and trainer Gordon Elliot when he won well at Down Royal and then again more impressively at Fairyhouse in the Bar One Racing Juvenile 3-y-o Hurdle in December. He looked a nice type in those races but he has disappointed since including when only 6th behind the impressive Unaccompanied last time at Leopardstown and will need to improve to feature in the Triumph.

David Pipe has a genuine Triumph Hurdle contender on his hands for Cheltenham in Kazzene after he won the William Hill Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton at the start of January. He outshined Brampour who made his debut over hurdle as an odds on shot for Paul Nicholls, in truth he pulled hard and should come on for the run next time with the Triumph still the big aim. Brampour has scored since though on his latest outing at Taunton  for Nicholls and has been nibbled at in the betting, he won the Royal Marines Maiden Hurdle over 2m 1f and looked to have improved for that first run.

Nicky Henderson has Grandouet in his stable this season and he will go to the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Festival following an impressive campaign. He came second behind Sam Winner in the Triumph Hurdle Trial Race at the Open Meeting in November but has followed that up with two excellent wins since. He beat A Media Luz into second at Newbury in December in the Happy Birthday Laura Juvenile Hurdle before winning the Ascot Juvenile Hurdle last time out in some style to see his Festival odds slashed yet further.

A Media Luz picked up her first win over hurdles in Britain at Huntingdon with an easy win in the Chatteris Fen Juvenile Hurdle last time and he has been slashed across the board for the Triumph Hurdle as a result. Nicky Henderson has a strong hand in this race but on this run it could be A Media Luz who is the one to beat despite the fact she was beaten by Grandouet at Newbury back in December.

Paul Nicholls has one more Triumph Hurdle contender on his hands for the Festival after the exciting Zarkandar made a winning debut in Britain at Kempton in the Adonis Hurdle. The horse is a half-brother to Arc winner Zarkava and Nicholls has said he will now go to the Triumph Hurdle where he should improve for the run, that alone makes him a genunine contender as the JCB Triumph Hurdle Odds confirm.

Cheltenham Festival - Betting Tips