Triumph Hurdle ratings update

Filed on 31 Jan 2008 @ 15:28

Champion Hurdle rating supdate | Triumph Hurdle ratings update

By Graham Richards

Graham's full Cheltenham Preview is available now for only £5. Order your copy now. Parts two and three, and daily meeting emails, will be available in February and March.


Franchoek	138	Did the job well enough at Cheltenham on trials day. His defeat by Harper Valley showed he is vulnerable to a horse than can keep tabs on him when he accelerates from the second last. There may be more than one horse that possesses the ability to do exactly that at the Festival.
Five Dream	134	Came home in good style, despite idling on the run-in at Cheltenham recently. The race was run in a marginally faster time than the juvenile won by Franchoek, although he carried 9lb less weight than Franchoek. He looks a tough honest performer and he loves coming off a fast pace. That should stand him in good stead for the Triumph Hurdle.
Tatenen	132	Faded out of contention at Cheltenham and will now be put away to grow into his frame. He will return next season to go chasing and is expected to take high rank in the two-mile division.
Harper Valley	130	Made the most of a 7lb weight pull to overturn Franchoek at Cheltenham. Blinkers were fitted first time and he travelled exceptionally well through the race. When asked to go about his business, he stayed on well to expose Franchoek’s lack of finishing speed. It will be a close call when they meet at level weights.
Serabad	129	Failed to improve his FSF figure at Cheltenham recently and may well have reached the summit of his ability A mistake at the last flight cost him some momentum and he may be capable of a little more improvement.
Celestial Halo	127	Went to Newbury with a huge home reputation and came through his first test over hurdles in fine style. The manner of the victory did not please everyone, and it certainly appeared he was doing all his best work at the end of the race. You need to be able to lie handy and travel in races at Cheltenham, it remains to be seen if he can achieve that. The likelihood of good ground at the Festival will play to the strengths of this decent flat race performer.
Ashkazar	126	Arrived at Chepstow for the Finale Hurdle, with a facile win at Wincanton under his saddle. He was clearly unable to act on the ground and connections are convinced we will see a different horse on better ground. Listed Class on the flat in France, he should be given another chance to confirm the promise of his Wincanton run. He does however, look a horse that will be better with time to develop and grow into his frame. He has been schooling and working well at home and may run in the next week if the ground is not too bad.
Won In The Dark	124	Improving juvenile who ran out a convincing winner of the Grade One Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas. Ran well behind Franchoek at Cheltenham last November and looks sure to close the gap when they meet again.
Lemon Silk	120	Following his win the Summit Hurdle, he was then found out in the testing ground at Chepstow. He sloshed through the mud at Lingfield, but Chepstow is a different kettle of fish. Looks worth another chance to see how far he can go.
Indian Spring	120	Improving and second to Won In The Dark last time. More needed to become a challenger but that may not beyond his capabilities. His flat form included a tenth place in the French Derby seven lengths off the winner. He showed good form at Auteuil before going to Ireland.
The Ethiopian	120	Third to Won In the Dark on his debut over hurdles. Flopped in heavy ground just six days later. Given the form of the Meade stable for the past month, it would be advisable to ignore that effort. He is highly regarded and well worth another chance.
Binocular	120	Made an impressive debut in a juvenile hurdle at Ascot. Prominent from the start he led at the fourth last and never really looked in trouble from that point. His jumping was safe and fast; in addition, he showed a fine turn of foot from the second last. His next run at Kempton Park will once be going that way round on a flat track. Now amongst the market leaders for the Triumph Hurdle, he will go there with no experience of an undulating track. However, that proved no barrier to success for recent winners Detroit City, Penzance, and Made In Japan. Despite showing good form on the soft, I suspect he will be even more effective on good ground. He has so far shown all his best form going right-handed on flat tracks. I have a feeling he may be more of a speed track performer and it is worth remembering he is in the same ownership as Franchoek.
Temlett	117	Third to Spiderback on his debut, he disappointed behind Won In The Dark before coming good at Naas. Front running tactics were employed on his last run; not for the first time he looked happier under those tactics. He won three races on the trot last May and June, successfully employing similar tactics on each occasion.
Spiderback	116	Formerly with Richard Hannon, Spiderback has had just the one run over hurdles. He appears suited to soft ground and his next run will tell us more about his ability. The time of the race at Clonmel was excellent for a juvenile and subsequent events have shown the form to be strong.
Squadron	116	Improved his rating when third to stablechum Franchoek. He looks a handicapper in the making.
Beau Michel	111	Beau Michel is a progressive horse who can improve his rating considerably. His jumping is both quick and accurate, and he won his last two races easily.
The Grey Berry	107	Came off a slow pace to win easily at Southwell. He may rub at Cheltenham but Philip Hobbs feels Aintree is where he will shine. Holder of some excellent time figure on the flat his turn of foot will make him a potent force against most juveniles.
Silverhand	106	Created a huge impression when he won at Punchestown last October. He was held up off the pace jumping and travelling in good style. Turning for home he looked to have a hopeless task; however, he made ground fast and late, coming through to lead at the final flight. Unfortunately, a loose horse veered across him and he was lucky to stay on his feet. Remarkably, he jumped the flight and immediately quickened again to grab the race out of the fire close home. The horses in second and fourth have gone on to win three races and some notable placed efforts have come from other beaten horses. I have to admit I do not know why he has been absent, though with Noel Meade’s horses so out of form it is probably best he is lying in wait. This fellow could be something special and I suggest you keep a close eye on the ante-post market.

Filed on 31 Jan 2008 @ 15:28

Features

mail this page