13:30 Cheltenham

Friday 15 March 2024

All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30

JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 4m 17.52s

Bunting⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: W P Mullins| OR: 138

11/2

Successful on sole start on the Flat in France and has looked a very good prospect in this sphere, landing the odds with plenty to spare at Limerick before coming in 2¼ lengths fourth of 11 to stablemate Kargese in Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown. Open to further improvement.

Form: 14

Ethical Diamond⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: M J M O'Sullivan| T: W P Mullins| BF

25/1

Fairly useful 1m4f Flat winner. Failed to meet expectations on his hurdling debut but took a big step forward when 5¼ lengths sixth of 11 to stablemate Kargese in Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown. May do better still but down the pecking order for the yard.

Form: 06

Highwind⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: W P Mullins

33/1

Created a good impression sent hurdling, bagging 18-runner juvenile at Punchestown. Made mistakes when fair eighth of 11 to Kargese in Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown (16f, soft) next time so more is needed from this fair ex-French Flat winner.

Form: 18

Ithaca's Arrow¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Ben Ffrench-Davis| T: D J S Ffrench Davis| OR: 117

150/1

Took his form up a notch when getting off the mark at the fourth attempt over hurdles in 5-runner juvenile at Newbury (16.3f, heavy) 14 days ago. Needs plenty more in this company, however.

Form: 2521

Majborough⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 139

6/1

Debut winner of Auteuil newcomers race last April and took a big step forward after 10 months off when 1¾ lengths third to stablemate Kargese in Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown 41 days ago. Has a fair bit more to offer for top yard.

Form: 1-3

Mighty Bandit⁸⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: James Bowen| T: W Greatrex| BF| DWS

28/1

Emphatic debut winner of 2m Punchestown juvenile hurdle in November but failed to build on it when ninth in Listed juvenile at Leopardstown following month on his final run for Gordon Elliott. More needed after a break/breathing operation for new handler.

Form: 19

Nurburgring^t⁸⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 139| D

6/1

Fairly useful Flat winner who has taken really well to hurdles, bagging Winter Festival Juvenile Hurdle at Fairyhouse. Posted a good ¾-length third to Kala Conti in Leopardstown Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown later in December (not seen to best effect) and can't be ruled out after a break.

Form: 1213

Salvator Mundi^h1³³²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins

17/2

Made a highly promising start when 1¾ lengths second to Sir Gino in listed newcomers hurdle at Auteuil last April for David Cottin. Subsequently bought by that one's connections and open to considerable improvement for new yard. Intriguing contender in first-time hood.

Form: 2-

Salver²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: G Sheehan| T: G & J Moore| OR: 128| D

10/1

Has quickly developed into a useful juvenile hurdler, a ready winner of Grade 2 Finale at Chepstow in December before making it 4-4 with easy victory in 4-runner juvenile at Haydock 27 days ago. One to consider.

Form: 1111

Storm Heart⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 140| BF| D

7/2

A fairly useful 1½m scorer on the Flat in France and made a highly impressive winning hurdling debut at Punchestown in December. Very good 1¼ lengths second of 11 to stablemate Kargese in Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown since and he's open to further progress. The pick of Paul Townend.

Form: 12

Fratas¹²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: M Mulvany

66/1

Fairly useful handicapper on Flat and a five-time winner in 2023. Got off the mark at the first time of asking in this sphere in 11-runner juvenile hurdle at Fairyhouse in November. This demands plenty more but she's open to progress.

Form: 1

Kargese^h⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 136| D

4/1

Group 3 winner in France who has made a promising start for current yard, landing Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown last month from a number of these including Storm Heart and Majborough. Respected for all others are likely to improve past her now.

Form: 12-121

Non-Runners

Peking Opera²⁰

Weight: 11-2| Age: 4

T: G & J Moore J: N F Houlihan

Sir Gino⁴⁸

Weight: 11-2| Age: 4

T: N J Henderson J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Sir Gino (2/1), Storm Heart (7/2), Kargese (4/1), Bunting (11/2), Majborough (6/1), Nurburgring (6/1), Salvator Mundi (17/2), Salver (10/1), Ethical Diamond (25/1), Mighty Bandit (28/1), Highwind (33/1), Fratas (66/1), Peking Opera (66/1), Ithaca's Arrow (150/1)

Willie Mullins saddled the first four home last year and holds all the aces again with 7 runners, MAJBOROUGH looking the pick after his fine start for the yard behind stablemate Kargese at Leopardstown. He's open to plenty of improvement and can come out on top. Salvator Mundi found only the absent Sir Gino too good in France on his debut 11 months ago and is an intriguing runner. Nurburgring and Salver are also in the mix.