Open Meeting 2011 - Prestbury Juvenile Hurdle

1.20 Cheltenham

JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial (Registered As The Prestbury Juvenile Hurdle) (Grade 2) (Class 1)  (3YO only)

Winner £12,244

Advice: 2 pts win Hinterland (15/8 Bet365)

Hinterland: Only had the one run over hurdles but that a deeply impressive one nevertheless, when running away with a Listed hurdle at Auteil; Moved hands to top yard since and while this will be good test of his ability first time out (stark change in ground) all the signs are that he can go really well on UK debut.

Secret Edge: Made more than a few mistakes on debut at Chepstow when only just losing out late on and major improvement from that led to him winning Listed juvenile hurdle, when making good use of stamina late on; That asset should be brought further into play and still of interest even on this far harder assignment.

Bradbury: Got up to win on debut having made hard work of things from a long way out at Aintree; Attitude that day can’t be faulted but this seems a steep step up in class and others preferred.

Hollow Tree: Decent on the flat, winning twice at Sandown in May when using stamina to best of ablity; made a successful start to his new career with a smooth win at Bangor and should go well here.

Saquil: Improved from two unplaced efforts (when beaten 40 and 75 lengths on first two hurdles starts) when winning last time but that a weak race and this should be too hard.

Traitor: Won well (showed fairly neat turn of foot) on only second rules start (Ex Andre Fabre horse) when winning at Ludlow but that form looks extremely weak in this context and others preferred here.

Ozeta: By far the best of these on the flat due to her listed win at Longchamp in the Prix La Siene; Disappointed at Longchamp in the Royaumont but impressive win over hurdles at Auteil bodes very well for this recruit to Henderson yard.  

Thunder Sheik: Rules debut for this Fifth foal/half-brother to Fibresand winner Regence and other winners over the channel; To be watched.

Jackies Solitare: Actually beat Secret Edge at Chepstow but much of that down to the fact that she’d had a run and flopped big time when third afterwards; Little chance of keeping that form intact from first time out.

VERDICT: The long and twisting road to the Triumph starts here in a fascinating race which sees two French imports highly fancied to have this between them. There have been several good vibes about HINTERLAND from his stable following his arrival and his 10 length win at Auteil bodes very well here, despite a big weight for him to carry first time out. He can beat Ozeta, a Listed winner both on the level and over hurdles in France, while Hollow Tree’s impressive debut win makes him one to watch closely.