This runner guide will give you a horse by horse guide in this year’s triumph juvenile hurdle at Cheltenham. The race is the first on the card at Cheltenham on Saturday, going just over the two-mile trip. The race is a class 2 going over hurdles.
Triumph Juvenile Hurdle Runner Guide
Number 1 – Cracker Factory
Trainer – Alan King
Jockey – Daryl Jacob
Alan King’s 3-year-old is in fine form, winning four out of his last six starts, and coming second in the other two. Second behind rival Quel Destin last time out, so will have to find extra to turn the tables on that runner in this. Has won in class 1 company in the past and will appreciate the ground. Chances.
Number 2 – Elysees
Trainer – Alan King
Alan King’s second-string runner in the race. Has performed in class 4 company of late, winning at Ludlow and Warwick at short odds in his last two starts. Will need further improvement to enter calculations here. Won’t mind the likely good ground and will enjoy the trip. Tends to stay on for pressure. Was behind Quel Destin three starts ago.
Number 3 – Fanfan Du Seuil
Trainer – Tom George
Won easily last time out at Exeter in class 4 company. Bred to go chasing but is related to hurdle winners in France over the same trip as this. Was a faller when he last met a couple of these in today’s field. Will have to keep on progressing if he is to enter the frame in this contest. Will be more of interest if there is a bit of rain.
Number 4 – Fret D’estruval
Trainer – Alan King
Another Alan King runner in the race. Has had three runs in France over hurdles, winning two and being brought down in the other. Another runner who would appreciate a bit of cut in the ground if he is to feature. First run for Alan King and probably better watched despite wins at short odds in France in his last two starts.
Number 5 – Quel Destin
Trainer – Paul Nicholls
Yard in fine form and so is this 3-year-old. Nicholls seems to have gotten this gelding in great shape since coming over from France, winning two of his last three starts. Stepped up to class 1 last time and won well to rival Cracker Factory last time. Another big runner is expected, given course form and will also appreciate the ground and trip.
Number 6 – Ghost Serge
Trainer – Sophie Leech
Running consistently in handicaps of late. Won three starts ago in a class 4 contest, came second only to rival Quel Destin at Kempton two starts ago in a class 3 event, and came second in France in his most recent start. Looks to be up against it, having struggled to make any impression in this sort of company in the past.
Number 7 – Katpoli
Trainer – Richard Newland
Ran a respectable race last time at Cheltenham, finishing fourth in the end, behind two of his rivals in this race, Cracker Factory and Quel Destin. Won a class 4 contest prior to that, so this horse is progressing nicely. Will need to find a lot more to trouble the principles in this, but improvement is expected.
Number 8 – Nelson River
Trainer – Tony Carroll
Jockey – Harry Bannister
Has been in lesser company than this since starting his jumping career but is running well. Won a class 4 handicap at Bangor last time out in his maiden hurdle race and before that was in respectable form on the flat. Will most likely appreciate a bit of rain to soften the ground at Cheltenham.
Number 9 – Phoenician Star
Trainer – Fergal O’Brien
First run for Fergal O’Brien, after running on the flat for Brian Meehan. Hasn’t done anything of note on the flat, hence why he’s never won a race. Looks to be a mighty task to get involved here, but check the market to see if there’s any clues that this gelding could surprise a few.
Number 10 – Protekorat
Trainer – Dan Skelton
Jockey – Harry Skelton
First run for powerful yard since joining from France. Was second in a handicap at Auteil in September, on very soft ground. Has been held up in his races in France. Unknown quantity, but this 3-year-old should be checked in the market. Unexposed on the ground, course and trip. Owned by Sir Alex Ferguson.
Number 11 – Swordbill
Trainer – Ian Williams
Had a great summer on the all weather winning three out of his four starts. Ran in class 2 company on hurdling debut, a long way behind an unbeaten Nicky Henderson runner and Ian William’s first choice runner. Will definitely prefer the good ground than the good to soft at Newcastle last time. Should come on for the run but looks tough to back.