13:20 Cheltenham

Friday 19 March 2021

All13:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:50

JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:21 | Winning time: 4m 6.37s

Adagio⁶⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 145| CD

10/1

Found a chunk of improvement when winning Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow 10 weeks ago, following up his December C&D success from Historic Heart. Definite each-way claims.

Form: 1211

Haut En Couleurs¹⁶⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins

20/1

Ran to a fairly useful level on his hurdling debut in October when winning a 17-runner newcomers’ race at Auteuil, and he has since joined powerful connections. Open to improvement so not discounted.

Form: 1

Historic Heart^v1⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: David Noonan| T: N J Hawke| OR: 131| D

125/1

Has made excellent start over hurdles, landing juveniles at Sedgefield and Wetherby. Another good effort when second in Musselburgh listed race last time but making a big step up now. Visor on.

Form: 141522

Quilixios⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 147

2/1

French recruit who won all three starts for Gordon Elliott, including when beating Boodles Handicap Hurdle second Saint Sam by 5½ lengths in Spring Juvenile Hurdle last time. More to come.

Form: 1-111

Tax For Max^h²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: D A Jacob| T: W P Mullins

33/1

Smart on the Flat (up to 1½m) in Germany and bought for €200,000 from H. Grewe, was way too free sent hurdling when runner-up at Fairyhouse last month. Needs to settle to have any sort of chance.

Form: 2

Tritonic²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Adrian Heskin| T: A King| OR: 147

4/1

Smart on the Flat and has made the perfect start over hurdles, building on his debut promise when bolting up in the Adonis at Kempton last time. The one they all have to beat.

Form: 11

Zanahiyr^t1⁸³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Kennedy| T: Mrs D Foster| OR: 149

11/8

Won first 3 starts over hurdles and this has been the target since he landed the Grade 2 Knight Frank Juvenile at Leopardstown over Christmas. Strong claims with tongue tie now fitted.

Form: 111

Talking About You⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Harry Bannister| T: S Curran| OR: 134| D

125/1

Improved model since undergoing wind surgery, completing hat-trick in listed company at Taunton in December. Ran below that level when runner-up at Doncaster and she's likely to struggle in this.

Form: 441112

Forecasts

Zanahiyr (11/8), Quilixios (2/1), Tritonic (4/1), Adagio (10/1), Haut En Couleurs (20/1), Tax For Max (33/1), Talking About You (125/1), Historic Heart (125/1)

A fascinating renewal, with half the field putting unbeaten records on the line. TRITONIC looked as good a juvenile as has been seen in Britain when bolting up in the Adonis at Kempton last month and gets the vote to improve further and strike for Alan King. Zanahiyr and Quilixios will provide some serious opposition however, and can chase the selection home in that order.