12:45 Cheltenham

Saturday 29 January 2022

All12:1512:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:15

JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Finesse) (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:46 | Winning time: 4m 7.75s

Iceo^h³³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| D

15/8

Won well at Dieppe on hurdling debut in the summer and looked potentially smart when following up for this yard at Kempton last month, drawing well clear straight. Sure to go on to better things.

Form: 11

Interne De Sivola⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: Chester Williams| T: Nick Williams| OR: 131| CD

5/1

Related to plenty of winners and built on an encouraging start in this sphere when running out a convincing winner over C&D in December. Likely to progress further.

Form: 31

Boulette^t³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: David Noonan| T: N J Hawke| OR: 111

125/1

Fair maiden on Flat who opened his hurdle account at Fontwell in November. Solid efforts both starts since, including on handicap debut at Doncaster last time, but has plenty to find at this level.

Form: 25122

Forever William³³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 125

12/1

Fairly useful maiden on Flat who struck at first time of asking over hurdles at Newbury in December. Bettered that form when third to Porticello in Chepstow Grade 1 and should run well again.

Form: 13

Moka De Vassy⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Burke| T: Mrs J Williams

50/1

Half-brother to 5 winners, including useful chaser Saint de Vassy. Much improved from debut when 6 lengths third of 9 to Forever William at Newbury (16.3f), though still has something to learn.

Form: 63

Moulins Clermont²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 127

14/1

Made the most of a good opportunity on second start for this yard in 4-runner affair at Sandown (16f, heavy) 3 weeks ago, pushed out. Open to further improvement.

Form: 3-61

Pied Piper²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott

11/8

Useful on Flat for John & Thady Gosden. Sold for 225,000 gns and looked an exciting recruit to hurdling when scoring on debut at Punchestown last month, jumping fluently in main. Sure to progress.

Form: 1

Silver Shade¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Kevin Jones| T: M F Harris

25/1

Fairly useful on Flat (stays 1¾m). Bought for 18,000 gns and made a winning start over hurdles in 5-runner event at Kempton (2m, heavy) 2 weeks ago. This asks for plenty more, but he'll improve.

Form: 1

Forecasts

Pied Piper (11/8), Iceo (15/8), Interne De Sivola (5/1), Forever William (12/1), Moulins Clermont (14/1), Silver Shade (25/1), Moka De Vassy (50/1), Boulette (125/1)

ICEO looked a smart prospect when scoring by a wide margin on first start for Paul Nicholls at Kempton last month, and with the performance backed up by the clock, he's fully expected to take this step up in grade in his stride. Pied Piper created a good impression at Punchestown and rates a big threat, while Interne de Sivola is not taken lightly on the back of a convincing display over C&D.