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2015 Triumph Hurdle

Barry Connell /Alan Fleming

Ver ingetorix was sent off the 8-11 favourite for the two-mile event and he was settled in behind as Adrian Heskin set out to make most of the running aboard 13-2 chance Gwencily Berbas.

He was still travelling well as the three runners turned for home but it was clear Vercingetorix was already

under pressure and he dropped away tamely, leaving Lettre De Cachet as his only challenger.

However, Gwencily Berbas proved far too good and gave trainer Alan Fleming his first winner since relocating to Ireland.

Sky Bet cut Gwencily Berbas from 50-1 to 33-1 for the JCB Triumph Hurdle and to 20-1 for the Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle.

"He's a lovely horse - a real nice horse," said Fleming.

"I said before the race that he hadn't an awful lot of work done and we rushed him a bit to get him here.

"We'll have to make a decision now in a week or 10 days whether to go to Cheltenham or elsewhere.

"We'd very much like to go to Cheltenham and we'll have to see.

"He's a good genuine honest horse. Whatever he does over hurdles he's a chaser.

"I'm chuffed as that's my first national hunt winner in Ireland. We have 15 or 20 in at the moment and a lot of young horses."
 
I don't think comparing a horse's form via Vercingetorix will give a line to possible Cheltenham winners, that horse has gone to pot,
 
I don't think comparing a horse's form via Vercingetorix will give a line to possible Cheltenham winners, that horse has gone to pot,

Agree MG, I didn't see how he went off 8/11 fav after his previous run. It was a good first run by GB but hard to assess.
 
Hard to begrudge Barry Connell a bit of luck ( unless you are on P&co.)
 
Sorry to disagree guys but dont see Hargam or Peace and Co losing any sleep over Beltor,no chelt track experience and not same class either, I dont think it will run anyway and even if it does its not for me!

Agree with everything you say Iain. Looking forward to Hargam off a strong gallop and hopefully good ground. Peace and Co sets a very high standard as well.
 
I dont think Beltor will be able 2 get up the hill. I know i said earlier in post favourites dont win. But Peace and co has proved he can get up the hill.
 
I dont think Beltor will be able 2 get up the hill. I know i said earlier in post favourites dont win. But Peace and co has proved he can get up the hill.

What makes you think he won't get up the hill Liam?

He looked so full of running yesterday he looked like he could get up Everest
 
Just we seen so many horses ran good prep. If they didnt have a prep at Cheltenham pre festival they always struggled to get up the hill.
 
Bryan Cooper


I’ll be on Lettre De Cachet for Noel Meade in the three-runner Grade 2 juvenile hurdle, a tight and fascinating little race.

This filly didn’t run badly first time up over hurdles in Leopardstown, when she was facing a tough task in Grade 1 company in a race I won on Petite Parisienne.

She got into contention at the second last in a race run at a proper pace but appeared to get tired and dropped away to finish fifth.

Beaten a long way, over 32 lengths, she had one of today’s rivals Vercingetorix 11 lengths further behind in sixth.

Letter De Cachet is entitled to improve from her Leopardstown run. She’s a fine big filly with plenty of scope to progress. So I’m expecting a good run.

The third runner, Barry Connell’s Gwencily Berbas, could be anything. He cost plenty after winning in Auteuil and shouldn’t be underestimated.
 
If you fancy Beltor Arabian Revolution should be backed as well ?
 
If you fancy Beltor Arabian Revolution should be backed as well ?

There could be a case with AR because Beltor received 7lbs that day but was the win worthy of more?

Watch the race and let me know.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Peace and Co (left), Top Notch (centre) and Hargam (right) all likely to go to the Triumph Hurdle <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cheltenhamfestival?src=hash">#cheltenhamfestival</a> <a href="http://t.co/m9EmNbVJHK">pic.twitter.com/m9EmNbVJHK</a></p>— Bill Esdaile (@BillEsdaile) <a href="https://twitter.com/BillEsdaile/status/569837428170760192">February 23, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Top Notch

He’s been very professional so far. He won at Newbury and that was all right but I think he’s got better. He was very impressive at Haydock and very professional, which he is, I think that’s his secret weapon. He’s got a bit of experience, the most of my trio, as he won a couple of times before we started. We waited in case something happened - God forbid - to L’Ami Serge, but he will run in the Triumph.

Hargam

He won at Cheltenham in soft ground but AP said that day he’d like to see him on better ground and that’s what he got at Musselburgh. He looked a very good horse there.

Peace And Co

He’s nicely relaxed now and I think he learnt a lot at Cheltenham last time. Some people crabbed that as he didn’t look the same visually as he had at Doncaster, but we just had to do it that way. His last two bits of work have been in behind horses, very quietly, and he schooled very well on Friday. He’ll relax, he’s learned a lot - he only had one run in France before Doncaster. He’ll have something [ear plugs] to shut the world out at Cheltenham.
 
Top Notch

He’s been very professional so far. He won at Newbury and that was all right but I think he’s got better. He was very impressive at Haydock and very professional, which he is, I think that’s his secret weapon. He’s got a bit of experience, the most of my trio, as he won a couple of times before we started. We waited in case something happened - God forbid - to L’Ami Serge, but he will run in the Triumph.

Hargam

He won at Cheltenham in soft ground but AP said that day he’d like to see him on better ground and that’s what he got at Musselburgh. He looked a very good horse there.

Peace And Co

He’s nicely relaxed now and I think he learnt a lot at Cheltenham last time. Some people crabbed that as he didn’t look the same visually as he had at Doncaster, but we just had to do it that way. His last two bits of work have been in behind horses, very quietly, and he schooled very well on Friday. He’ll relax, he’s learned a lot - he only had one run in France before Doncaster. He’ll have something [ear plugs] to shut the world out at Cheltenham.

Maybe they just need to let PC go on the day. I know it will be tough to win a Triumph from the front, but why change something if it isn't broken? He clearly runs better from the front and why risk him getting out paced by another horse on the day when you have the engine to run the others to the ground.
 
I always sit up and take notice when the top trainers keep it simple when they appraise their horses, I may be wide of the mark here but for me the one I wud take from Hendersons comments from above is Hargam.
 
Maybe they just need to let PC go on the day. I know it will be tough to win a Triumph from the front, but why change something if it isn't broken? He clearly runs better from the front and why risk him getting out paced by another horse on the day when you have the engine to run the others to the ground.

Very true LR, the Mullins camp don't mess about when they have the right tool and it works for them
 
Lydia copying Liam
However, Petite Parisienne’s Leopardstown succcess
week may ensure that Henderson isn’t holding a Triumph prial. She was likely unlucky when second to unpressurised winner Chatham House Rules on her Irish debut, but this time accounted for stablemate, Kalkir, readily covering his challenge and registering the best time of the day over hurdles.

In receipt of 7lb from their (likely) gelding rivals, a good filly is to be feared in the Triumph. Three – Shawiya in 1993, Mysilv in 1994 and Snow Drop in 2000 – have all won the race. This filly benefits from some Flat experience, having stayed at least an extended ten furlongs (if not 12f) in France.

As the depth of this race has increased, I want to take an each-way position and the 10/1 about Petite Parisienne appeals. As she is a confirmed runner, I advise you to risk taking the longer price rather than place the bet with the two NRNB firms (Bet365 at 8/1 and Boylesports at 9/1).
 
I advised 25/1 makes me better then Lydia. Few of u got on which was good : )