JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial

After a great first day at Cheltenham with clues a plenty we start the 2nd day with a JCB Triumph Hurdle trial. This race has been won by some smart horses in the past including Katchit, Franchoek, Sam Winner and Far West. Despite only 5 going to post this race looks a tasty event.

Oceane had some smart form on the flat including finished 3rd on debut behind Simple Verse a recent Cartier Award winner. Since being sent hurdling he has recorded two facile wins at Fontwell and Kempton and this step up in class is duly warranted. Alan King last won this in 2007 with Franchoek.

Romain De Senam has come over from France and moved to Paul Nicholls. He’s only had the one run to date for Paul Nicholls but this really well bred son of Saint Des Saints could not have been more impressive. Unlike Oceane he is statistically meant to be suited by this course and he could be anything. Paul Nicholls won this 3 times between 2010 and 2012 before Art Mauresque let him down in 2013. He didn’t have a runner last year.

Wolf of Windlesham is another who had some smart form on the flat before being sent hurdling and was a very impressive winner at Ludlow when turning over a hot horse for Nicky Henderson. Despite making mistakes he pulled clear and deserves a step up in class to see how good he is. The concerns would have to be that none of the trainer, jockey or sire have had a winner here in recent years.

Fingertips is another French Import for last season’s Triumph Hurdle winning owner and he finished 2nd in the race behind Romain De Senam at Enghien which Top Notch won last year before finishing 2nd in the Triumph Hurdle. That race obviously works out well and it wouldn’t be a surprise if either of the two French imports were too good for Oceane particularly on the softer conditions.

Coo Star Sivola hasn’t shown much yet in France and looks up against it here although the booking of Richard Johnson should mean he is given every chance.

Mallardjewellers.com Novices’ Chase

With a former World Hurdle winner winning a Novice chase today, tomorrow is the turn of World Hurdle 6th of last year to go Novice chasing.

Un Temps Pour Tout was last seen winning a Grade 1 hurdle in France so for connections to send him chasing is eyecatching in itself as they obviously feel he will be even better over fences. Connections are surely hoping he could be as good as some others by Robin Des Champs such as Sir Des Champs and Vautour. If he jumps well and gets round safely you would have to think he will be hard to beat.

Vicente would be one of the likely favourites big dangers as he has shown some form including when 2nd to Blaklion in a Grade 2 Novice Hurdle last season. Blaklion also reopposes however his jumping left a lot to be desired last time out and he would have to bounce back. Back to Vicente who has already run and won over fences this may allow him to run a big race.

Twelve Roses has always been highly thought of and after finishing 5th to Faugheen in the Neptune at the festival back in 2014 he missed all of the following season. He returned this season over fences and won on debut beating Southfield Royale for Neil Mulholland and this horse has since won over fences himself by 20 lengths. The form looks strong but Midnight Legend progeny have a poor record here.

Vintage Vinnie was one that was always expected to be a better chaser and on his first start over fences he won easily. He came to Cheltenham last month and was in the process of running a big race when falling. If he has got over his fall then he might run well but it would be a surprise if he could beat Un Temps Pour Tout who was rated over 30lb superior over hurdles.

Murphy Group Handicap Chase

We have identified this race as being a Grand National trial with some good runs coming here before running well in the National including from Monbeg Dude, Alvarado and The Druids Nephew in recent years.

Just A Par looked a horse with a real future when he was sent chasing but has been very in and out since. His most recent run was a very good one and this came at the end of last season when winning the Bet365 Gold Cup when staying on from an unpromising position. He now looks like he will be targeted at these big staying handicap and could turn up in a Welsh National or even a Grand National in the future. Sean Bowen keeps the ride and will need to be at his strongest to get him home.

Upswing is a horse that many people have as a horse to follow and he has started this season well. Despite being well beaten in a Chase by Vintage Vinnie he was given a mark of 128 and duly capitalised on this low mark winning easily at Worcester. Barry Geraghty rides and he is likely to be held up waiting as long as possible before making his move. He should run a good race.

Knockanrawley is a horse who has good record on soft/heavy going and proved he stayed when 4th in the Eider chase last year. He drops back in distance but should be one that definitely stays and wouldn’t be a surprise if David Bass went for home early in order to bring this stamina into play. Still only lightly raced and improving he looks an interesting runner here.

Black Thunder is looking to follow Sam Winner and win here off top weight for Paul Nicholls and Sam Twiston-Davies and this talented horse actually won the race last season that Coneygree has won recently. He ran in a similar event at the Cheltenham Festival and finished 7th but the extra distance did look like it would suit and he could go well.

Sego Success is a horse that catches our eye in this race. He was last seen finishing 5th at Chepstow behind subsequent Badger Ales Trophy winner Drop Out Joe and this was a good reappeareance. He ran at last season’s Cheltenham Festival where he finished 5th in the 4m Chase when getting tired late on. He drops back in distance here and that should suit and with more experience and a fitness run under his belt he should go well and looks a real Grand National type.

The Paddy Power Chase has been previewed in the Premium Members Forum