Triumph Hurdle Tips – Day 4 – Cheltenham 2015

The final day of Cheltenham 2015 gets underway via the Triumph Hurdle (1.30), an event which attracts the best 4yo’s around, and this year is no different with a host exciting talent, including the 9/4 favourite, Peace And Co.

Henderson Holds Strong Hand
Nicky Henderson won this race twice during the last 10 years, and holds an excellent chance of making it a third with this ex-French hurdler, who mopped up a couple of Grade 2’s since joining the yard.

The second of those wins came over this C&D two months ago, when bounding clear to beat Karezak (16/1) by 3l. Considering he pulled hard that day, he should be better suited by the bigger field/pace on Friday, and if he handles the quicker ground (raced only on soft so far), then he looks sure to go close.

But, could his stablemate, Hargam (5/1), prove to be the one, having won his last two races – the latter a Listed event at Musselburgh (2m, good). His only defeat came on his debut for the yard when a close second in a Grade 2 event over C&D, before returning to the same venue in getting off the mark in a small event in December. He has improved with each outing and while 11lb inferior to Peace And Co on official ratings, he has improvement to come.

Henderson also has Top Notch (10/1), although his hurdles record of 5-5 was achieved in minor races outside Grade company. He is one with serious potential, however, and the turn of foot he showed in going 9l clear at Haydock last month (2m, soft) cannot be underestimated.

Impressive Trial For Beltor
But, this isn’t purely about the Henderson runners, as on 6/1 is Beltor, from the less fashionable yard of Robert Stephens.

Off the mark in a small Ludlow affair upon debut, Beltor made headlines in winning the Grade 2 Adonis at Kempton last month in serious style (2m, soft).

With that Kempton event having thrown up several triumph winners down the years, it would come as no surprise to see Beltor follow suit, especially as he won on good ground on the Flat.

Mullins With Petite Chance?
Of course, no Grade 1 would be complete if Willie Mullins didn’t have a chance, and he has an interesting entry at the bottom of the weights in Petite Parisienne (9/1). This filly gets a handy 7lb allowance from the males, yet is already a Grade 1 winner, having beaten stablemate, Kalkir (10/1), almost 2l Leopardstown (2m, yielding) last month.

A winner on good to soft on the Flat, Petite Parisienne has to be respected, especially as Snow Drop won this prize for the females back in 2000 – for the record, 10 fillies have been beaten in the last 10 years, though Unaccompanied was second in 2011.

Recommended Bets
A smashing line-up, with each of the main protagonists having impressed in winning last time out, but the vote goes to Beltor, who won a race at Kempton that has been a solid pointer for this race over the years.