Day 4 - 1:30 Triumph Hurdle Preview & Selection

17 go to post for this year’s Triumph, a race which has traditionally gotten the punters off to a good start on the final day of the festival, with a lot of the winners over the last while having come from the top four or five in the betting. Today’s favourite is Nicky Henderson’s Peace And Co, bidding to bring Henderson a second festival success after Call The Cops won yesterday. He was very impressive on Trials Day here when winning over course and distance, his third win from three starts.

Peace And Co has 3 wins from 3 starts and won here in January

Hargam comes from the same stable and the bookmakers are suggesting that he’ll be the main source of competition for a strong favourite. At 7/1, he’s the more interesting option of the two for me, having also won over course and distance and doing more or less everything right this term. He seems to have improved since coming from France and although he’ll have to produce even more today, he’s an intriguing option.

Beltor won the Grade 2 Adonis Hurdle at Kempton a few weeks ago impressively. The horse which finished 5 lengths behind him that day, All Yours, finished 5^th in the Fred Winter on Wednesday so the form looks strong. He has won twice since arriving in Robert Stephens’ yard but I have real doubts over whether Cheltenham will be his track.

Officer Drivel was 16 lengths behind Beltor last time out and looks unlikely to reverse that form, while class 5 winner Prairie Town and last time out faller Take A Break also look out of their depth.

Sam Twiston-Davies picked up two wins on Wednesday and could well fancy his chances on Devilment, unexposed in this sort of company but impressive in class 5 and 4 victories since Christmas. Top Notch has 5 wins from 5 starts over hurdles and although he lacks form at this level, he seems to have plenty to offer.

Both David Pipe runners are outsiders

Baraka De Thaix is one of two David Pipe outsiders and doesn’t look up to this based on his bad run last time out, disappointing after showing potential on his British debut when 3^rd in a Grade 2 here in November. The other Pipe horse is Stars Over The Sea, who was unbeaten in two hurdles starts when he disappointed last time out, finishing 3^rd over course and distance in a Triumph Hurdle Trial before Christmas – a whole 30 lengths behind winner Hargam and runner-up Karekaz. That form is against him but the introduction of both a hood and tongue tie might mean that we need to keep an eye on him.

Jonjo O’Neill runs Matorico, a 50/1 outsider who finished 2^nd in his sole start over hurdles last month. He’s an unlikely winner today. 66/1 shot Old Guard may have slightly better claims but still has a lot against him. The Ditcheat resident hasn’t won since his hurdling debut, pulled up and runner-up on his subsequent two racecourse outings, behind Pain Au Chocolat last time. A return to better ground may help to some extent.

Kalkir was beaten on his last two runs & Ruby prefers Dicosomo

We’re yet to mention the Mullins horses – Willie runs three, Kalkir, Dicosomo and Petite Parisienne. Kalkir was a popular ante post bet for this race after winning on his Irish debut at Fairyhouse in November but was beaten by 2 lengths when odds on to win at Leopardstown over Christmas, and lost again in Grade 1 company to Petite Parisienne last time out at Leopardstown. Ruby has passed up on the chance to ride him in favour of Dicosomo who was very impressive at Gowran on his Irish debut. He looks interesting but is untested against better horses and his price leaves a bit to be desired.

Petite Parisienne is the most interesting of the Mullins trio in my opinion – there was a lot to like about the way she won at Leopardstown last time out and 11/1 is a big price.

Karekaz is interesting due to Alan King’s strong record in the race and has run well to finish runner-up to Hargam, Peace And Co and Bristol De Mai this season and although there’s a lack of winning form there, his last few starts were all respectable.

Both of the Alan King runners are interesting, but of the two, Pain Au Chocolat might represent more value. He hasn’t run in a top class hurdle this season but has done very well in class 3 and 4 races and 22/1 is a big price. Some rain would be a welcome advantage. His last win in particular was worth noting and he looks to fit the bill for a value each-way contender. Also, William Hill are paying out on four places so if possible it may be a good idea to back him with them.

SELECTION: PAIN AU CHOCOLAT E/W 22/1