Cheltenham Festival 2014 - Triumph Hurdle

1.30 Cheltenham (Day 4, Race 1)

JCB Triumph Hurdle (Juvenile Grade 1) (Class 1)  (4YO only)

Winner £68,340

Already Advised: 1 pt each/way Plinth (16/1 general)

Advice: 1 pt each/way Guitar Pete (8/1 general)

Abbyssial: Shaped with promise on one and only French start and unbeaten in three starts for Willie Mullins, impressing on debut when making all and then attitude when winning tougher contests the next twice, fighting off stablemate Adriana Des Motttes in tenacious style at Fairyhouse last time; Imagine that more needed here but not at all beyond him to figure prominently.

Achtung: Nearly 100 lengths behind Abyssial two runs ago and hard to see him playing a part.

Amouruccio: Made a fair debut when fourth at Warwick, making a mistake at the last and plugging on, but hard to say he’s ready for this level right about now.

Ballygasheen: Huge improvement from Ludlow win and thirds there and at Sedgefield when getting the better of Kentucky Hyden in a muddling race over C&D when he got 3lbs from him; Hampered before things had got going in the Fred Winter so should be ready again but worry that he’s not good enough.

Broughton: 92 rated on the flat and good start to hurdling when he  went down narrowly to Fox Norton at Doncaster last time and then an impressive winner at Musselbrugh (albeit getting 5lbs from runner up); May not have improved from first to second start but clearly posses the type of engine good enough tp get involved and respected.

Calipto: Looked useful on one and only French start and two British runs have bough very impressive performances, a smooth winner at Newbury first over subsequent Adonis Juvenile Hurdle winner Actival and then when winning an all aged hurdle even more impressively; Could still have more to offer after just three starts and a worthy favourite

Cherry Target: Fell before race got going first time out and then tailed off last week; Presumably not good enough.

Guitar Pete: Well beaten by Royal Irish Hussar when he came here in November following impressive win but since improved, thrashing Clarcam at Leopardstown and then a convincing winner of Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle at same course when he beat Tiger Roll and Plinth convincingly; No reason why he can’t go well here and rates a prime contender and Ireland’s main threat.

Kentucky Hyden: Looked an extremely good type when he put 33 lengths between him and rivals at Sandown but in three defeats since limitations have been exposed, especially when he was thrashed by sadly absent Le Rocher over C&D latest and hard to get really enthused about his chances in any way shape or form.

Lindenhurst: Massive chance based on his beating of Guitar Pete when we last saw him but that defeat came when recieving weight, that took place in October, and foolish to assume that Guitar Pete hasn’t improved massively since; Hard to presume that he will show same form and if that form can be trusted although clearly capable of outrunning his price.

Pearl Castle: One of two with good chance for yard; Beaten long way on debut but then a deeply impressive winner at Doncaster, coasting home by 16 lengths; Less impressive last time but hefty penalty weighted him down and respected for 2012 winning yard.

Plinth: Not the greatest of Aidan O’Brien’s flat stock to go jumping but shaped with no small amount of promise when recovering from last flight blunder to land what had looked like a strong race at Leopardstown and fancied for Grade 1 that Guitar Pete landed in style last time but never jumped a single hurdle and well beaten third there behind him and Tiger Roll; Possible that he would want better ground and stiffer tack but improvement still needed.

Royal Irish Hussar: Really game attitude when getting the better of Fox Norton on debut at Market Rasen and then an easy winner at Wetherby in Listed contest; Can’t fail to be impressed with the attitude that he showed when landing C&D trial here from Guitar Pete in November and if one assumes that he’s going to be in the same form following his defeat against Fox Norton when obvious a miss at Doncaster; Should go well.

Rutherglen: Can’t fail to be impressed with the way that he defied a double penalty on third jumps start when making it three on the bounce and then warmed up with neat win on the flat; Should go nicely here and will be wanting a good pace for his stamina to come into play.

Tiger Roll: Moved to Gigginstown after winning Market Rasen maiden hurdle in November and that proved to be a wise choice for new owners when he chased home Guitar Pete at Leopardstown, staying on well after slightly fluffing lines at last; No reason that he can’t take a hand here for all form reversal will be difficult.

Adriana Des Mottes: Didn’t look great in France but won on Irish debut by 18 lengths and rallying late behind Abbyssial when second to him in Fairyhouse Grade 2; Might enjoy stiffer test of stamina and today’s hill but not sure that means a form reversal.

VERDICT: Calipto’s win over Actival at Kempton is probably the best form here and he is expected to take a world of beating but this is an open race and several make appeal, including GUITAR PETE whose win at Leopardstown latest was one of the most impressive juvenile performances of the season and promised a big showing if he was able to repeat that performance today. There are reasons for thinking that Tiger Roll and Plinth can get much closer today but a form reversal for either would be a bit of a surprise and he is preferred from the fellow Irish challengers Abbyssial and Adriana Des Mottes. A strong home defence is headed in form terms by Royal Irish Hussar, a convincing winner over Guitar Pete in November, but there is a slight worry as to his readiness along with the fact that Guitar Pete last clearly improved since. Of the John Quinn pair Rutherglen is preferred while Broughton is respected.