Grade One Triumph Hurdle Guide 2023

Four-year-old gelding who was a decent runner on the flat for Clive Cox before a good second on hurdling debut in the 3-Y-O maiden hurdle at Leopardstown in December, losing out to Tekao by half a length.

Followed that with fourth in Spring Juvenile at Leopardstown last month behind a few runners here and may struggle to have a part to play in this 15-runner field.

French recruit for John McConnell who won three races on the flat in France before making his hurdling debut for new yard at Fairyhouse 20 days ago, where he finished second behind fellow runner Zenta in grade three juvenile over this trip.

Should improve once more with Sean Bowen on ride but this is another step up in company, much like a lot of the outsiders.

The third of Willie Mullins’ top three in the market who beat current favourite Lossiemouth last time out at the DRF, staying on well and despite Lossiemouth running into traffic, Gala Marceau’s run should not be underestimated.

Lost out to her on the previous occasion they met at the same course in December but was unbeaten over hurdles in France and comes here with every shot of victory with Danny Mullins onboard.

Useful on the flat, with a sole win at Haydock the highlight before four runs over hurdles throughout 2022/23.

Best effort was second at Punchestown in January otherwise he has been miles off it in much lesser company than this.
Makes very little appeal in graded company and won’t be winning here.

Average runner on the flat in Ireland before hurdling debut at Ludlow in January in a class three juvenile, finishing third.

Fourth here in Triumph Trial before third at Market Rasen 24 days ago behind Charles St and Chaos Control.
This is a different kettle of fish and is up against it in this contest.

Top prospect for the Willie Mullins yard with wins at Cork and Fairyhouse despite jumping with a bit of inexperience and won’t get away with that here.

Last win was by a comfortable 18 lengths at Fairyhouse and makes his first step onto English soil here.

Big chance of remaining unbeaten over hurdles for Mullins but does run into some good runners here who all have big potential.

Fourth on debut at Auteuil in April last year, where favourite here Lossiemouth won at 10/1. Sixth at Leopardstown 41 days ago in Grade One Juvenile won by Gala Marceau but needs much more to figure here.

From a top yard so never 100% discounted but others from Mullins’ yard make more appeal in this year’s Triumph.

Would have arrived here unbeaten if it wasn’t for traffic getting in her way at the Dublin Racing Festival where Gala Marceau beat her by two and a half lengths, but she did run on well considering the troubles.

That form was reversed at Leopardstown in December, where she beat Gala Marceau by seven lengths, and she will have a massive chance here to get back to winning ways.

Hurdling debut came at Fairyhouse in November, finishing ten lengths behind Willie Mullins’ Zarak The Brave but has now been off 129 days and comes here off the back of just one career run.

Stepping into graded company straight away might shock him but also might help him but it’s so unknown and can be dismissed.

Four-year-old gelding for Paul Hennessy who won twice on the flat at Ffos Las and Newbury before hurdling debut at Punchestown in January where he finished sixth of 21.

Followed that with tenth of 21 at Naas and sixth at Gowran Park last month in a maiden hurdle won by Sinbad Le Marin.

Shouldn’t figure here given he has never run against any rivals here and this company is a whole different ball game to what he has experienced before.

Zenta is currently two out of two over hurdles, winning at Auteuil in a class one listed event in France before winning debut for Willie Mullins at Fairyhouse last month, when priced at 4/9 favourite.

Arrives here priced at around 12/1 and looks like one of the better outsiders for Mullins but steps into better company now.

Useful hurdler in France, where he has won his last two races at Pau over 2m 1f both times. Was priced at 25/1 when winning the first of those two before 15/2 winner by three and a half lengths last time out 26 days ago.

No reason why he can’t continue to improve and build on those runs on French soil but has to find plenty to compete with promising grade one hurdlers here.

Four-year-old with two runs over hurdles in his career, winning on debut at Auteuil in September before fifth on debut for Willie Mullins in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle, won by Gala Marceau, who finished ahead of the likes of Lossiemouth, Tekao and Ascending.

Plenty of room for improvement but wouldn’t be the fancy of Mullins’ runners here.

Young jockey Michael O’Sullivan is booked to ride Je Garde for Willie Mullins in this Triumph Hurdle, following win on Marine Nationale in the Supreme on Tuesday.

Je Garde was a few lengths behind a couple of winners since in Auteuil hurdle on debut before joining Mullins team ahead of this contest.

Likely to go well for a top yard but difficult to predict chances having had zero experience on English tracks heading into this.

Surprise winner on hurdling debut at Newbury in December, winning an introductory hurdle over 2m when priced at 66/1 for Gary Moore.

Stepped up to grade two company last time out and was nowhere near winner Comfort Zone when priced at 3/1 which potentially doesn’t bode well for this contest.

Can do better than that run but this will be another step up for the four-year-old, where it remains to be seen how he handles this company.