Triumph Hurdle

The JCB Triumph Hurdle is for four year old novices only and raced over 2m1f of the New Course.

A large field and a very fast pace will test these youngsters. Some experience over hurdles and a proven ability to win, preferably in a good class race, is what we are looking for.

We nailed this race as well last year with Zarkandar landing a confident 7/1 tip. This has been a good race for Cheltenham Betting Guide over the years and we are very hopeful our selection for 2012, Hisaabaat can keep up the good work.

Triumph Hurdle Trends

10/10	started at a price of 20/1 or less
10/10	had their last run with previous fifty-five days
10/10	were by a Group One winning sire
10/10	had won at least fifty percent of their hurdle races
9/10	were first past the post last time out
8/10	had a top three finish last time out

Triumph Hurdle Analysis

The introduction of the Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle has been a boon for Triumph Hurdle punters as the prices of the seven winners of the Triumph since that race was introduced into the Festival have been 9/1, 7/2, 11/2, 5/1, 11/2, 6/1 and 13/2 with no winner coming outside the first four in the betting.

In 2009, 2010 and 2011 the first three horses in the betting filled three of the first four places home and in 2008 the first and second favourites filled the top two places.

Do keep an eye on your selection's stamina credentials from the flat with four of the last six winners having placed form at 1mile 4 furlongs or above on the level.

Year	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Price
2011	Zarkandar	P Nicholls	D Jacob	13/2
2010	Soldatino	N Henderson	B Geraghty	6/1
2009	Zaynar	N Henderson	B Geraghty	11/2
2008	Celestial Halo	P Nicholls	R Walsh	5/1
2007	Katchit	A King	R Thornton	11/2
2006	Detroit City	P Hibbs	R Johnson	7/2F
2005	Penzance	A King	R Thornton	9/1
2004	Made In Japan	P Hobbs	R Johnson	20/1
2003	Spectroscope	JJ ONeill	B Geraghty	20/1
2002	Scolardy	W Mullins	C Swan	16/1

Great rivals Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls have taken the last four runnings of the Triumph between them but Alan King may be the main trainer to follow in this race with two wins, two seconds and a third in the last seven years.

Last year's winner came from the breeding operation of the Aga Khan and ran on the flat over distances up to 1m 7f and was an ideal fit for the type of horse required for the race. It looks like the ex-Aga Khan horses Darroun and Ranjaan will take his chance in the Triumph this year and he is well worth a second look.

Triumph Hurdle Tips

There have been a number of eye-catching performances from juvenile hurdlers this season but the most impressive must surely have been from Hisaabaat when he took the Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Dermot Weld's gelding had failed to win up to that point but the application of the blinkers that he had won in on the flat worked the oracle and he moved stylishly through this top class race.

Weld won the same race last year with Triumph runner-up Unaccompanied so he will have an excellent idea as to how good Hisaabaat actually is.

Given the style of his recent Grade One success he currently looks overpriced at 18/1 (corrrect at time of writing)

Triumph Hurdle Odds

Triumph Hurdle odds are listed below. Just click the bookie logo next to the horse you want to back. You will then be taken to the bookie site with the best odds on your selection.