In the latest of GG’s 2021 Cheltenham Festival Previews, Daryl Carter has taken a look at the Triumph Hurdle, which features favourite Zanahiyr and gives his analysis on the race and the main contenders.
As a bonus beforehand though, we have an ante-post look at the Cheltenham Festival as a whole, with Daryl Carter, joined by Andrew Mount, as they discuss the movers and shakers on the markets as the build-up to the festival begins!
2021 Cheltenham Festival Ante-Post Focus | Daryl Carter & Andrew Mount
.
TRIUMPH HURDLE OVERVIEW
Mares have an excellent record in this race 4/22 have won that were priced 14/1 and under and 8 others placed.
9 of the last 11 winners last time ran in one of the Spring, Finesse, or Adonis Hurdles
Three winners in 33 years had only one previous race over hurdles in GB or IRE
Five of the last nine finished in the first four in the February Leopardstown G1 (Quilixios).
11 of the last 16 winners came from the front four in the betting.
Only three of the last 15 had their first hurdle run after 10th January
4 winners and 3 seconds in the last six renewals were French-bred
TRIUMPH HURDLE OVERVIEW
ZANAHIYR
Represents Gordon Elliot who holds a strong hand in this contest and this is a race he has won twice in the last 10 years with Farclas and the sensational Tiger Roll. Zanahiyr has led the ante-post market since he demolished Saint Sam at Fairyhouse and followed that win up with a cosy victory at Leopardstown at Xmas in the Grade 2 Knight Frank by 3 ¾ lengths. The former finished closer to Zanahiyr on their second meting but was ultimately still 6 lengths inferior and the time figures he has clocked have been on the exciting side so he ticks plenty of boxes. He does leave the impression that he is there to be shot at and his latest effort recorded an RPR of just 134 and only Burning Victory (2020) and Pentland Hills (2019) have recorded lower and gone on to win this race (They were unlikely winners of the race with Goshen falling and Sir Erec fatally injured). Regardless he has a big chance.
Back ZANAHIYR HERE CLAIM UP TO £30 IN FREE BETS WITH 888sport
QUILIXIOS
Gordon Elliott’s second runner in this race but by no means a back number and is unbeaten in four starts and ticks the box for winning the right race at Leopardstown in Feb. That wasn’t visually pleasing but on the clock, he was faster than Appreciate It who heads the market for the Supreme Novice and more impressively it came on the back of a short break. He has now won all four races by a combined distance of more than 50 lengths and he looks one to take very seriously for the powerful Cheveley Park Stud.
Back QUILIXIOS HERE CLAIM UP TO £30 IN FREE BETS WITH 888sport
FRENCH ASEEL
A 22 length winner in no more than a canter on his sole start since arriving from France and visually looked extremely impressive but the time figure of the race was extremely slow in comparison to the Future Champions Novice Grade 1 on the card won by Appreciate It. That by no means writes him off and there was a certain spark in the ease he pulled clear but it does ask the question of how he will handle a truly run affair up in Class? Time is still on his side but he needs to defy the stats if he is to go to Cheltenham after just one run over hurdles.
Back FRENCH ASEEL HERE CLAIM UP TO £30 IN FREE BETS WITH 888sport
ADAGIO
A rapid improver for David Pipe which includes a Grade 1 Victory at Chepstow over Nassalam on his latest start and is worth his place in this line up with an official rating of 146. He has two course runs to his name which will give him an edge in this contest but one of those was a well-beaten second behind Gordon Elliott’s likely third-string Duffle Coat. He will need to improve again to land this contest but comes here with plenty of experience and a live chance.
Back ADAGIO HERE CLAIM UP TO £30 IN FREE BETS WITH 888sport
TRICTONIC
Rated 109 on the flat and will be another that will likely arrive here with just one run under his belt. That was a debut victory over hurdles at Ascot but it was more workmanlike than impressive despite being well on top at the finish and it would be folly to judge him too quickly given his exploits on the flat.
*The second is entered at Plumpton on Monday (15th feb)
Back TRICTONIC HERE CLAIM UP TO £30 IN FREE BETS WITH 888sport
DUFFLE COAT
Is the third-string runner for Gordon Elliot according to the ante-post markets but has now won all four of his races including taking the scalp of subsequent Grade 1 winner Adagio over course and distance. All of his best work has come at the finish in his races and a big field strong pace will likely suit and there won’t be many coming up the Cheltenham hill stronger than him. Not flashy but gets the job done.
Back DUFFLE COAT HERE CLAIM UP TO £30 IN FREE BETS WITH 888sport
NASSALAM
Gary Moore’s representative needs to reverse form with Adagio from their meeting at Chepstow but to my eye, he didn’t seem to handle the downhill run which would be cause for concern at this track. He looks a lovely prospect and is no forlorn hope if he continues to improve.
Back NASSALAM HERE CLAIM UP TO £30 IN FREE BETS WITH 888sport
TRIUMPH HURDLE BIG RACE VERDICT
The two at the head of the market from the Gordon Elliot stable look the very useful indeed and although for me, it’s too early to make a final decision on this race (I leave it to the last minute) I do think Quilixious represents value given his performances have continued on an upward curve while Zanahiyr left the impression that he was beatable at Leopardstown. But at this time HA D’OR is a wild price but that’s due to him being extremely keen the last twice behind both of the above mentioned but despite that, he has only beaten five lengths by the 5/2 market leader at Xmas. The lack of crowds and the likely big field scenario may help him settle if connections take up this race and there is undoubtedly underlined talent there so gets a small each-way vote at the current ante-post prices.
How To Claim A Bet £10 – Get £30 Bonus At 888sport
Simply Join 888sport here and deposit a minimum of £10
Place a bet of £10 or more on any market, with odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater
Receive your £30 in Free Bets + £10 for Casino once your qualifying bet is settled!
Min deposit £10 • A qualifying bet is a ‘real money’ stake of at least £10 • Min odds 1/2 (1.5) • Free Bets credited upon qualifying bet settlement and expires after 7 days • Free Bet stakes not included in returns • Casino Bonus must be claimed within 7 days • To withdraw bonus/related wins, wager bonus amount x40 within 14 days • Casino bonus expires after 60 days • Withdrawal restrictions & full T&Cs apply
—
Join 888sport Today & Bet £10 – Get £30 In Free Bets & A £10 Casino Bonus