Triumph Hurdle Betting Guide

Triumph Hurdle profile

(Friday 14th March - 2.15pm) - Full race entry list

Four year old novice hurdlers get their own race in the shape of the Triumph Hurdle, run over two miles and a furlong on the new course. It was first run during the festival in 1965, but the race dates back to 1939. Usually run as a cavalry charge, the race is notoriously tricky for punters.

Alan King trained last year's winner Katchit and his Franchoek has been at the head of the market since October. Ashkazar won the Imperial Cup easily for David Pipe and may bid for a double.

RACE TRENDS:

  • 12 of the last 13 winners won last time out
  • 17 of the last 18 winners had at least three prior starts over hurdles
  • 13 of the last 14 winners had won at least twice over hurdles
  • Only one winner rated lower than 80 on the flat since 1996
  • 9 of the last 14 winners started in the first four of the betting
  • 2 of 31 Irish horses made the frame in the last five years

Triumph Hurdle Trials

Click the video links to see youtube race footage.
Oddschecker is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
DateCourseRaceNameVideo
23/02/2008FairyhouseWinning Fair Juvenile HurdleBeau Michael, Silverhand, Spiderback, Indian Spring, Temlett youtube
23/02/2008KemptonAdonis Juvenile Novices' HurdleBinocular, Pierrot Lunaire, Doubly Guest, Furmigadelagiusta, Troque youtube
16/02/2008HaydockVictor Ludorum Juvenile Novices' HurdleSerabad, Bayonyx, Dar Es Salaam youtube
10/02/2008LeopardstownSpring Juvenile HurdlePersonal Column, Won In The Dark, Thousand Stars, Indian Spring, Temlett, Sesenta, Pires, The Ethiopian youtube
07/02/2008HuntingdonChatteris Fen Juvenile Novices' HurdleSonge, Norman The Great, The Grey Berry
03/02/2008MusselburghJohn Smiths Juvenile Novice HurdleTamini's History, Harper Valley
02/02/2008DoncasterWilliamhill.co.uk Novices' HurdleCelestial Halo youtube
02/02/2008SandownToteplacepot Juvenile Novices' HurdleAshkazar, Grand Schlem, Chance Du Roy youtube
27/01/2008SouthwellQueen Mother Restaurant Maiden HurdleThe Grey Berry youtube
26/01/2008CheltenhamWragge & Co Juvenile Novices' HurdleFranchoek, Serabad, Squadron, I Predict A Riot youtube
26/01/2008CheltenhamBrightwells Auctions Handicap HurdleFive Dream youtube
22/01/2008AscotSpargonet Consulting Juvenile Novices' HurdleBinocular, Norman The Great, Metaphoric youtube
12/01/2008PunchestownPunchestown Juvenile HurdleBeau Michael, Personal Column, Sesenta, Prince Erik, Sonnium, Paco Jack
06/01/2008NaasPanoramic Restaurant Maiden HurdleTemlett, Skylancer
29/12/2007NewburyHappy Birthday Laura HurdleCelestial Halo, Emerald Wilderness
27/12/2007LeopardstownCleanevent Juvenile Novices' HurdleBeau Michael, Siege Of Ennis, Thousand Stars
27/12/2007ChepstowFuture Champions Finale Juvenile HurdleFranchoek, Serabad, Ashkazar, Lemon Silk youtube
26/12/2007LeopardstownDurkan New Homes Juvenile HurdleWon In The Dark, Indian Spring, The Ethiopian, Sonnium, Temlett, Personal Column, Paco Jack, Eritrea youtube
15/12/2007CheltenhamBoylesports Juvenile Novices' HurdleHarper Valley, Franchoek, Callisto Moon, Bantry Bere, Zanir
15/12/2007LingfieldSummit Junior HurdleLemon Silk, Five Dream
06/12/2007ClonmelPowerstown 3-y-o Maiden HurdleSpiderback, Indian Spring, Temlett
06/12/2007WincantonSW Racing Club Juvenile HurdleAshkazar, Emerald Wilderness
17/11/2007CheltenhamCleanevent Juvenile Novices' HurdleFranchoek, Won In The Dark, Lemon Silk, Paco Jack, Callisto Moon, Sainte Kadette
19/10/2007CheltenhamDla Piper Uk Juvenile Novices' HurdleSainte Kadette, Silmi, Lemon Silk, Five Dream, Hypnotic Vibes

Triumph Hurdle Results

Click the video links to see youtube race footage.
Oddschecker is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
YearWinnerSPDistanceTimeGoingFormRatingTrainerJockeyVideo
2007Katchit11/29L3.54.60Good/Soft2111154Alan KingRobert Thornton youtube
2006Detroit City7/2F5L3.51.20Good(2)811152Philip HobbsRichard Johnson
2005Penzance9/1Head4.03.60Good(0)111141Alan KingRobert Thornton
2004Made In Japan20/12L4.05.30Good(6)331140Philip HobbsRichard Johnson
2003Spectroscope20/1Head4.00.30Good1B41137Jonjo O'NeillBarry Geraghty
2002Scolardy16/111L4.07.80Good1212144Willie MullinsCharlie Swan
2001No Race
2000Snow Drop7/1F2L3.52.90Good/Firm1141140Francois DoumenThierry Doumen
1999Katarino11/4F8L4.02.40Good/Soft3111155Nicky HendersonMick Fitzgerald
1998Upgrade14/11 3/4L3.57.20Good1511147Nigel Twiston-DaviesCarl Llewellyn
1997Commanche Court9/11L4.00.20Good(40)11135Ted WalshNorman Williamson
1996Paddy's Return10/14L4.01.30Good1122144Ferdy MurphyRichard Dunwoody
1995Kissair16/12 1/2L4.14.20Soft(1)311141Martin PipeJonothan Lower
1994Mysilv2/1F3 1/2L3.59.50Good1111134David NicholsonAdrian Maguire
1993Shawiya12/13/4L3.59.30Good/Firm2111131Michael O'BrienCharlie Swan youtube
1992Duke Of Monmouth33/16L4.04.20Good(4)133147Simon SherwoodMark Richards youtube
1991Oh So Risky14/112L4.01.70Good(0)115143David ElsworthPaul Holley
1990Rare Holiday25/11/2L3.54.40Good/Firm(1)652133Dermot WeldBrendan Sheridan

Connections Comments

Ashkazar

"We were planning on sitting second or third but nothing wanted to go on so Timmy decided to make it. He jumped well and won like a 4-7 shot should and a reproduction of his latest run when fourth to Franchoek should have been good enoughto win this. He is in the Triumph but David (Johnson, owner) isn't too keen on that race so we'll have to see."
David Pipe
2nd February 2008

Beau Michael

"He'll run at Fairyhouse in a Grade Two (Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle) on February 23. I was delighted to see Jessie's horse win yesterday. The form of the two races he has won could not have worked out any better. The only thing is that my horse has only performed on soft ground, but it would have been quick enough at Leopardstown at Christmas. He beat Siege Of Ennis easy enough that day and we know that he is thought of highly. He's improving all the time with racing and all we need now is a bit of luck. He has made the running so far but only because nothing else has, Davy (Russell) has said he wouldn't have to be in front and in a race like the Triumph they are not going to crawl. When he got back the last time, Davy said to me 'you have to be thinking about Cheltenham now'. He is a very good jumper and with a juvenile who is quick over hurdles, you have won half the battle."
Adrian McGuinness
11th February 2008

Binocular

“Mick said he didn't jump as well as he ought to. He schooled well at home and was brilliant at Ascot, so there was no reason for it. He takes a lot of getting right at home and with only two and a half weeks until Cheltenham nobody wants them 100 per cent today. He's done what he had to and won. Perhaps he would prefer softer ground. I'd like time to reflect on the race and see what he's done before we decide which race to go for, but you'd have to say that Franchoek is the one they have to beat. He's the form horse. This was a workmanlike performance rather than a spectacular one. Mick's not been carried away with it today but at the end of the day, you can't ask for anything more. It's winning form.”
Nicky Henderson
23rd February 2008

"He has been a natural since day one and has really thrived since we had him gelded. I suppose the Triumph will be where he goes, although I haven't spoken to JP as he is on the other side of the world at the moment - and I imagine Mick will be hoping that AP (McCoy) rides Franchoek!"
Nicky Henderson
19th January 2008

Celestial Halo

"We were trying to pinch an easy race (at Doncaster) without giving him too hard a time and were beaten by a very good horse. We weren't quite ready and he has improved enormously since. We have three weeks to get him ready and I think he will run a very big race in the Triumph."
Paul Nicholls
20th February 2008

Five Dream

Franchoek

"Alan is very happy with him and he has come out of the race very well. You'd have to be very pleased with him as he jumped great and you couldn't ask for better. He'll have an entry in the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle as well, but he looks the ideal sort of horse for the Triumph Hurdle. We'll see what Alan says nearer the time as he is the one who knows him best. (Regarding the same owner's Binocular) Let's hope that we have that choice (who to run) and that they both get there in one piece."
Frank Berry
1st February 2008

Personal Column

"He came on for his first run for us over Christmas, and he showed that last time at Punchestown. He lost a bit of ground coming out of the back today when he got squeezed, but that should be the making of him as hustle and bustle can only improve him. He is tough and will have to go for the Triumph after that."
Jessica Harrington
10th February 2008

Won In The Dark

"He's a bit of a bargain, he only went for €1,800 at the sales having cost €65,000 as a yearling. He might be small but he has a big heart, which is the most important thing. He is totally genuine and consistent and maybe now they might give him a quote for the Triumph. He might have one more run before then."
Sabrina Harty
26th December 2007