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With Chepstow's card looking likely to be given the go ahead, the juvenile division's first Grade 1 of the season is finally upon us. Since 2005, the Finale Hurdle has produced two Triumph Hurdle winners in Defi du Seuil and Countrywide Flame, four runners-up in Kentucky Hyden, Walkon, Franchoek and Fair Along, and last season's winner Allmankind would place third at the festival later in the campaign. We Have A Dream won Aintree's Grade One in 2018, and other stars to emerge during this time period include Bristol de Mai, Reve de Sivola and Twist Magic. Earlier editions have been graced by the likes of Bilboa, Bradbury Star, Crystal Spirit, Jair du Cochet, Kadastrof, Mysilv, Mister Banjo, Oh So Risky and Royal Derbi. With the exception of Jair du Cochet who was something very special, it will have been speculative at the time to imagine that most of the aforementioned would achieve the heights that they did. Nevertheless, while this season's edition looks a good quality affair, it does appear to be lacking somewhat. The best British form on offer comes from Adagio who was readily put in his place by Duffle Coat at Cheltenham, and the Irish crop looks decidedly stronger at this juncture. Nevertheless, with the exception of Monmiral and possibly the undefeated pair of Heross du Seuil and Good Ball who each ran recently, this is about as strong a field that could have been assembled at this stage of the season. With the Welsh National being one of the most gruelling races on the calendar, it is no surprise that Chepstow's average winning DIs for juveniles of 0.83 median, 1.13 mean, are among the lowest in the country. With the winners of this race taken in isolation, those figures drop to 0.80 and 0.93 which makes the race quite exceptional. The going is currently forecast to be heavy and with freezing temperatures expected overnight, the moisture in the ground will not be evaporating. The clear round rate of 96.28% is broadly average, and the high odds-on strike rate and low median SP make it a reliable enough racecourse.
Triumph Hurdle
Nassalam 14/1
Adagio 20/1
Houx Gris 25/1
Elham Valley 50/1
Adagio bg David Pipe f3-1-2 GAG 39.5 (87) 81 j3-2-1 (136) 122 127
Wiener Walzer (Hernando){9-e}(0.73) 3/3 Labaik 1st Supreme Novices' Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2017
Horses bought out of French flat Claimers have a fair winners to runners ratio of 21.43%, although when accounting for those costing upwards of €21,000, that rate increases to 50% with six of the twelve since 2008/09 finding success. That record has been bolstered this season due to the wins of Fergal O'Brien's Volkovka, and David Pipe's Adagio. Following two outings as a two-year-old, his first run for the Pavel Vovcenko stable saw him run out a convincing eight length winner of a twelve furlong Clairefontaine claimer under Christophe Soumillon. The form of that race has worked out fairly moderately, but such was his superiority, a rating in the early-mid eighties would be appropriate.Though he was publicly offered for sale after joining David Pipe for €25,555, he ended up with high profile owners of the yard and the relative of recently lost Labaik was a comfortable debutant winner at Warwick in early November. The form of that race is much of a muchness, but Adagio overcame some sloppy jumping to run out a convincing seven and a half length winner on ground that was probably firm enough. He was out eight days later in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham where he was a steady third in the market. Settling in midfield, he still lacked fluency on numerous occasions and though he moved into the lead turning for home, he would be passed at the furlong marker and was unable to quicken from there. Finishing five lengths behind Duffle Coat was an improved performance, and he continued that momentum on his return to the venue a month later. Apart from being slightly untidy at the first two, he put in a nice round of jumping on ground which would have been ideal. Held up near the rear, he was still in midfield turning for home before cruising into a prominent position at the distance and jumping into the lead over the last. From there, he ran on strongly, increasing his superiority to nearly five lengths on the line. Given his clear round and ground preference, he was able to run his best race to date. His official rating of 136 is behind only Nassalam whose British form does not yet have the same substance. The ground tomorrow will be the heaviest he has encountered outside of France, but while his pedigree is not inundated with plodders, it is stout enough to suggest he can handle the conditions. Especially given that his Clairefontaine win came on heavy ground. David Pipe has not had a runner in this race since outsider Sinndar's Man in 2014, but Adagio is one of his strongest candidates he has had in a while and with the yard in a good spell of form, Adagio's prospects are very tangible.
Bannister bg Tom George f1-0-0 (-) 66 j5-1-2 (132) 114 124
Olympic Glory (Kendor){4-n}(1.00) 0.5 Ciboure 2nd Conditions Hurdle, Far Hills 2019
Starting his hurdling career earlier than most, Bannister ran with some credit at Stratford and Market Rasen in the summer before scoring at Southwell when left well clear in an attritional contest in early September. Since then, he competed in a pair of contests in France, finishing second at Compiegne and fifth at Auteuil when last seen in October. On both instances, he ran keenly and quickly established a clear lead. At Compiegne, he began to tire leaving the back, but while he was headed inside the final furlong, he still battled back bravely and was held by only a neck. The first three pulled well clear and winner Martator capped his campaign with a three length third in a course and distance Groupe III. Bannister's performance at Auteuil saw him employ similar tactics and though he steadied at the third and tenth while trailing his hind legs through the fourth, he jumped the remaining eight flights very neatly. Caught at the final flight, he was a spent force and weakened quickly, losing fourth at the line and beaten eight lengths. The winner has not been seen since, the runner-up competed in a pair of listed races before winning a Cagnes-Sur-Mer Chase, and the third and fourth have valeurs of 58 and 57 respectively. Though measuring this performance is not an exact science, a rating in the mid 120s looks appropriate. Bannister brings decent hurdling form to this contest and is a very good hurdler at best. However, the yard is not in good form at the moment and the eighty-four day absence might exacerbate his habitual keenness.
Elham Valley grg Fergal O'Brien f9-2-0 (74) 76 j1-1-0 (-) 116 116
Tin Horse (Peintre Celebre){1-p}(1.33) 2/2 Gardens Of Babylon 3rd Triumph Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2019
A dual winner on the flat for Andrew Balding, Elham Valley left Kingsclere after winning a seller at Goodwood by thirteen lengths. Though he did not attract any bids afterwards, he still changed ownership and would run twice run for John Gallagher, finishing well held in a pair of soft ground handicaps off 78 and 75. Following a date with a pair of scissors, he joined a Fergal O'Brien yard which has enjoyed a fine season with its juveniles, including winners Naizagai and Volkovka. Though his hurdles debut came in a Sandown contest featuring the highly touted but disappointing Paros, was the subject of sustained support throughout the day, moving from 14/1 in the morning to 11/2 at the off. He was not the most fluent or natural of jumpers as he was big and slow to get away from the first, reached at the third, was slow over the next and met the last wrong, costing him momentum in the process. Fortunately for him, the runner-up was also untidy and he was able to build an advantage on the run-in before being eased close home. It was not a bad performance and he should be able to improve with tidier jumping. Furthermore, runner-up Hudson de Grugy paid the form a compliment when winning at the venue last week. However, this was his tenth run under rules which gives him less scope than most of his rivals.
Houx Gris grg Paul Nicholls b2-1-1 h2-1-1 (-) 110 ?
Gris de Gris (Network){u}(0.33) 3/1 Franco 3rd Prix Robert de Clermont-Tonnerre (G3), Auteuil 1999
The bulk of Paul Nicholls' most succesful imports are typically acquired through private transactions, although he will still get horses who pass through the Arqana ring. The most pricey of these was 2016 Adonis Hurdle winner Zubayr at €380,000, while the useful Ptit Zig cost €100,000, and the exciting Sanctuaire was a relative snip at €80,000. Some did prove to be expensive however as Monsiuer Co (€155,000) won just the first of his six races for the yard, Marc Aurele (€180,000) left the yard with a rating of 116, and Al Amaan (€140,000) managed only a third in a Plumpton maiden. Costing €200,000 at the Arqana Deauville Autumn sale, Houx Gris carries hefty expectations. Nevertheless, his four runs for Sylvain Dehez are not without potential. After winning on his racecourse bow in a Cluny AQPS bumper in late June, he was denied by a length and a quarter at Vichy on the first of August while conceding eight kilos. His jumps debut came in an AQPS contest for hurdling debutants where he started at 9/1. Very keen early on, he was bustled on numerous occasions and made errors over the majority of the hurdles. He had settled behind the leaders but lost his position along the back straight, and while he eventually finished third, he was twenty-one lengths behind the winner. A direct form line leaves him behind Oliver Greenall's Herbiers, who was second at Musselburgh last week, but he was successful next time at the same venue in an ordinary conditions event. Though he made a few untidy jumps, it was a much better round than on his debut and after progressing from midfield, he moved into the lead approaching the last from where he battled well despite a high head carriage. The runner-up Homme Public has since joined Oliver Greenall, while the horse who was nearly nine lengths back in fourth has subsequently improved to finish third in a listed race ahead of winning a Pau steeplechase by seven lengths. A precise measure of Houx Gris' accomplishments is difficult to reach given that most of the opposition are unexposed and lightly raced. Nevertheless, the form likely exceeds the RPR of 116 by a good ten pounds. Paul Nicholls has won this twice from seventeen runners, although those two wins came from his last three charges in the contest with Dolos' third splitting the wins of Adrien Du Pont and Quel Destin. He has also introduced four French hurdles recruits in this contest, three of whom, namely Tatabeb, Sang Bleu and Caid Du Berlais, finished second. Gris de Gris has one winner from five in the division, but his record in France is much stronger and along with being a full-brother to a winning French juvenile, the third dam produced four winning jumpers in Declic, Impact, Azure and most notably, the graded class Franco. Houx Gris is something of an unknown quantity, but he ticks most boxes and is the representative of a strong trainer.
Mr Shady grg J S Moore f18-1-5 (63) 72 j2-0-1 (117) 111 117
Elzaam (Definite Article){4-i}(2.00) 3/1 Fontaine Fables 1st Novice Hurdle, Fairyhouse 1996
A veteran of twenty races to date, Mr Shady was able to collect a Lingfield handicap on the flat and his rating of 63 in that sphere is justified. He made an encouraging hurdles debut when fourth of eleven at Ludlow in November and while he started at 80/1 and was still beaten by nearly twenty lengths, the performance broadly matched his flat form. He made errors at half of his jumps, but his trainer's juveniles are not known to fall and he put up a better round next time at Wetherby. Keen in the early stages, he was in the front line throughout the race and after going through the top of the first, he hurdled very well before flattening the first in the straight. He made a blunder at the penultimate flight and was not especially tidy at the last either, but he only lost the lead at the half-furlong marker and still kept on to the line. Despite his vast racing experience, this performance marked a new career best for Mr Shady due to his good hurdling during the bulk of the race. Though he is a tough and consistent sort, he has not shown enough ability to be seriously competitive in this type of contest. Furthermore, Stan Moore's four runners in this contest have failed to reach a better position than Foleys Quest's fifth of six in 1997.
Nassalam chg Gary Moore j3-2-1 (140) 140 126
Dream Well (Shirocco){14-b}(0.80) 0.5 Msassa 4th Champion Four Year Old Hurdle (G1), Punchestown 2018
The shortest priced British trained horse in the Triumph Hurdle markets, Nassalam found himself in that position by virtue of two demolition jobs at Fontwell in November and December. To suggest that he beat trees on those two outings does a disservice to the speed of some species as the Moluccan albizia has been documented reaching nearly eleven meters in just over a year. Perhaps the most reliable measure of his ability came on his French debut in a newcomers race at Clairefontaine in the end of June. The winner subsequently took a chase at Fontainebleau in October and another one at Auteuil in December. He is currently rated 143 while the horse who finished third is on 132, although that is a falling mark. Fourth placed Mistersister, who was less than two lengths behind, joined Charlie Mann after winning a Le Lion d'Angers claimer, but was pulled up on his British debut in the Summit Hurdle. Nassalam got big at a couple of the early flights at Clairefontaine and it was the same case on his UK debut at Fontwell. However, he became more fluent as the race progressed and while he was not foot perfect over the last, caution was the prevailing sentiment as his win was under no equine threat. The former inmate of Guillaume Macaire could not have won his race any easier having cruised into the lead turning for home before extending his advantage without being asked to accelerate. Though the runner-up had won in France, he disappointed again at Market Rasen and that is the only real measure for his UK form. He did win the race in a relatively good time, and followed up in an even weaker contest last month. Setting the pace throughout, he jumped left at every flight but was a bit neater than on his debut. He effortlessly drew clear to win by forty-nine lengths although the ineffectiveness of his opposition can not be understated. From a time performance on the ground and an assessment of the sectionals, he performed no better here than on his debut. Nassalam is clearly a useful horse but his latent superiority entitled him to win as he did and his further contraction in the Triumph markets was not justifiable on the basis of this outing alone. Gary Moore has yet to win this contest in ten attempts, with Sussex Ranger coming closest when second in 2018. Nevertheless, the yard has been among the winners recently and Nassalam is very much fits the "could be anything" trope. His overall form profile lacks discernible substance, but it will be exciting to see what he can produce in this company.
Pyramid Place bg Milton Harris f4-0-0 (69) 66 j2-1-1 (104) 97 107
Authorized (Zafonic){20-a}(0.81) 0.5 Jukebox Blues 9th Novices' Hurdle, Kelso 2020
Pyramid Place did not reach the frame in four starts for John Gosden during the winter, but he was a consistent animal who ran to a fair level and subsequently sold for 27,000 guineas at the Tattersalls August sale. Horses who leave the Gosden yard rarely do well in juvenile hurdles, but with seven months to physically develop, he made a fine start in his new vocation at Lingfield. Keen early and held up in the rear, he had a tendency to jump to his left and like the winner, was none too fluent in the straight. He made slow and steady headway along the back and got to within five lengths of the winner at the last. He did not get away from it quickly and took time to find his stride on the run-in. Ultimately, he only failed by a short head, but given his freshness and lack of fitness or experience, he was entitled to improve and he made good on his promise when winning at Bangor in November. While he started the day at 2/5, he drifted out to 11/10 before starting at evens. He actually drifted out to 8.4 in-running although he never looked beaten at any stage. Tucked in behind the leaders in a slowly run contest, Pyramid Place took a bit of a hold, but it was still less pronounced than it was on his debut. He was always travelling comfortably enough and his jumping was also better than first time out with the only flaws being that he was slightly skewed over the third, fourth and at three out. He did not show an explosive turn of foot to take the lead between the final two flights, but he had a clear advantage by the last and stayed on strongly to the line. He did not have to improve from his debut to win last time, and from a form perspective, this effort leaves him with a lot to find here. Milton Harris saddled Mondul to finish second in the 2003 renewal of this contest, but his only other runner was well beaten at 100/1 in 2011.
Yggdrasil bg Nick Williams j1-0-1 (-) 107 109
Kapgarde (Le Balafre){4-m}(1.67) 0.5 Siruh du Lac 1st Mildmay of Fleet (G3,141), Cheltenham 2019
Named after the home of Ratatoskr, Norse Mythology's only interesting character, Yggdrasil made his racecourse debut at Sandown early last month. Keen early on, he did not attack the initial jumps with any real conviction and got especially close to the fourth. His jumping was tidier from there and he was still in contention at the distance. However, his inexperience became conspicuous as he steadied into the penultimate flight and did not know what to make of Elham Valley squeezing past him. Though readily outpaced by the front pair, he still plugged on to win the battle for third. A Kapgarde half-brother to Siruh du Lac, Acta Est Fabula and Txamanxoia, out of a dual chase winner and closely related to 1995 Grand Course de Haies d'Auteuil winner Matchou, Yggdrasil is bred to be a viable prospect in both the short and long term. He was one of two entries for the Williamses in the original iteration of this contest, with stablemate Honneur d'Ajonc (33/1, generally 25/1 for the Triumph) coming close to winning the alternative engagement when falling at the last at Kempton. Nick Williams has won this race twice from eight runners, with Me Voici winning in 2009, and Le Rocher scoring in 2013. He has also sent talented horses to run into third including Coo Star Sivola, and Reve de Sivola. Yggdrasil will still need to find improvement from his debut outing, but he ran with plenty of promise and has considerable scope for a yard that should not be underestimated in this contest.
Strong prospects
1. Yggdrasil
Reasonable prospects
2. Adagio
3. Nassalam
4. Houx Gris
Feasible prospects
5. Bannister
Moderate prospects
6. Elham Valley
Negligible prospects
7. Mr Shady
8. Pyramid Place
Triumph Hurdle
Nassalam 14/1
Adagio 20/1
Houx Gris 25/1
Elham Valley 50/1
Adagio bg David Pipe f3-1-2 GAG 39.5 (87) 81 j3-2-1 (136) 122 127
Wiener Walzer (Hernando){9-e}(0.73) 3/3 Labaik 1st Supreme Novices' Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2017
/https://api.equidia.fr/api/public/media/original/20220429-r6c4p1-png?updated_at=2022-04-28T07:50:30+02:00)
Horses bought out of French flat Claimers have a fair winners to runners ratio of 21.43%, although when accounting for those costing upwards of €21,000, that rate increases to 50% with six of the twelve since 2008/09 finding success. That record has been bolstered this season due to the wins of Fergal O'Brien's Volkovka, and David Pipe's Adagio. Following two outings as a two-year-old, his first run for the Pavel Vovcenko stable saw him run out a convincing eight length winner of a twelve furlong Clairefontaine claimer under Christophe Soumillon. The form of that race has worked out fairly moderately, but such was his superiority, a rating in the early-mid eighties would be appropriate.Though he was publicly offered for sale after joining David Pipe for €25,555, he ended up with high profile owners of the yard and the relative of recently lost Labaik was a comfortable debutant winner at Warwick in early November. The form of that race is much of a muchness, but Adagio overcame some sloppy jumping to run out a convincing seven and a half length winner on ground that was probably firm enough. He was out eight days later in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham where he was a steady third in the market. Settling in midfield, he still lacked fluency on numerous occasions and though he moved into the lead turning for home, he would be passed at the furlong marker and was unable to quicken from there. Finishing five lengths behind Duffle Coat was an improved performance, and he continued that momentum on his return to the venue a month later. Apart from being slightly untidy at the first two, he put in a nice round of jumping on ground which would have been ideal. Held up near the rear, he was still in midfield turning for home before cruising into a prominent position at the distance and jumping into the lead over the last. From there, he ran on strongly, increasing his superiority to nearly five lengths on the line. Given his clear round and ground preference, he was able to run his best race to date. His official rating of 136 is behind only Nassalam whose British form does not yet have the same substance. The ground tomorrow will be the heaviest he has encountered outside of France, but while his pedigree is not inundated with plodders, it is stout enough to suggest he can handle the conditions. Especially given that his Clairefontaine win came on heavy ground. David Pipe has not had a runner in this race since outsider Sinndar's Man in 2014, but Adagio is one of his strongest candidates he has had in a while and with the yard in a good spell of form, Adagio's prospects are very tangible.
Bannister bg Tom George f1-0-0 (-) 66 j5-1-2 (132) 114 124
Olympic Glory (Kendor){4-n}(1.00) 0.5 Ciboure 2nd Conditions Hurdle, Far Hills 2019
/https://api.equidia.fr/api/public/media/original/20210328-r1c2p1-png?updated_at=2021-03-26T15:30:38+01:00)
Starting his hurdling career earlier than most, Bannister ran with some credit at Stratford and Market Rasen in the summer before scoring at Southwell when left well clear in an attritional contest in early September. Since then, he competed in a pair of contests in France, finishing second at Compiegne and fifth at Auteuil when last seen in October. On both instances, he ran keenly and quickly established a clear lead. At Compiegne, he began to tire leaving the back, but while he was headed inside the final furlong, he still battled back bravely and was held by only a neck. The first three pulled well clear and winner Martator capped his campaign with a three length third in a course and distance Groupe III. Bannister's performance at Auteuil saw him employ similar tactics and though he steadied at the third and tenth while trailing his hind legs through the fourth, he jumped the remaining eight flights very neatly. Caught at the final flight, he was a spent force and weakened quickly, losing fourth at the line and beaten eight lengths. The winner has not been seen since, the runner-up competed in a pair of listed races before winning a Cagnes-Sur-Mer Chase, and the third and fourth have valeurs of 58 and 57 respectively. Though measuring this performance is not an exact science, a rating in the mid 120s looks appropriate. Bannister brings decent hurdling form to this contest and is a very good hurdler at best. However, the yard is not in good form at the moment and the eighty-four day absence might exacerbate his habitual keenness.
Elham Valley grg Fergal O'Brien f9-2-0 (74) 76 j1-1-0 (-) 116 116
Tin Horse (Peintre Celebre){1-p}(1.33) 2/2 Gardens Of Babylon 3rd Triumph Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2019
A dual winner on the flat for Andrew Balding, Elham Valley left Kingsclere after winning a seller at Goodwood by thirteen lengths. Though he did not attract any bids afterwards, he still changed ownership and would run twice run for John Gallagher, finishing well held in a pair of soft ground handicaps off 78 and 75. Following a date with a pair of scissors, he joined a Fergal O'Brien yard which has enjoyed a fine season with its juveniles, including winners Naizagai and Volkovka. Though his hurdles debut came in a Sandown contest featuring the highly touted but disappointing Paros, was the subject of sustained support throughout the day, moving from 14/1 in the morning to 11/2 at the off. He was not the most fluent or natural of jumpers as he was big and slow to get away from the first, reached at the third, was slow over the next and met the last wrong, costing him momentum in the process. Fortunately for him, the runner-up was also untidy and he was able to build an advantage on the run-in before being eased close home. It was not a bad performance and he should be able to improve with tidier jumping. Furthermore, runner-up Hudson de Grugy paid the form a compliment when winning at the venue last week. However, this was his tenth run under rules which gives him less scope than most of his rivals.
Houx Gris grg Paul Nicholls b2-1-1 h2-1-1 (-) 110 ?
Gris de Gris (Network){u}(0.33) 3/1 Franco 3rd Prix Robert de Clermont-Tonnerre (G3), Auteuil 1999
/https://api.equidia.fr/api/public/media/original/20210409-r6c2p10-png?updated_at=2021-04-08T08:34:58+02:00)
The bulk of Paul Nicholls' most succesful imports are typically acquired through private transactions, although he will still get horses who pass through the Arqana ring. The most pricey of these was 2016 Adonis Hurdle winner Zubayr at €380,000, while the useful Ptit Zig cost €100,000, and the exciting Sanctuaire was a relative snip at €80,000. Some did prove to be expensive however as Monsiuer Co (€155,000) won just the first of his six races for the yard, Marc Aurele (€180,000) left the yard with a rating of 116, and Al Amaan (€140,000) managed only a third in a Plumpton maiden. Costing €200,000 at the Arqana Deauville Autumn sale, Houx Gris carries hefty expectations. Nevertheless, his four runs for Sylvain Dehez are not without potential. After winning on his racecourse bow in a Cluny AQPS bumper in late June, he was denied by a length and a quarter at Vichy on the first of August while conceding eight kilos. His jumps debut came in an AQPS contest for hurdling debutants where he started at 9/1. Very keen early on, he was bustled on numerous occasions and made errors over the majority of the hurdles. He had settled behind the leaders but lost his position along the back straight, and while he eventually finished third, he was twenty-one lengths behind the winner. A direct form line leaves him behind Oliver Greenall's Herbiers, who was second at Musselburgh last week, but he was successful next time at the same venue in an ordinary conditions event. Though he made a few untidy jumps, it was a much better round than on his debut and after progressing from midfield, he moved into the lead approaching the last from where he battled well despite a high head carriage. The runner-up Homme Public has since joined Oliver Greenall, while the horse who was nearly nine lengths back in fourth has subsequently improved to finish third in a listed race ahead of winning a Pau steeplechase by seven lengths. A precise measure of Houx Gris' accomplishments is difficult to reach given that most of the opposition are unexposed and lightly raced. Nevertheless, the form likely exceeds the RPR of 116 by a good ten pounds. Paul Nicholls has won this twice from seventeen runners, although those two wins came from his last three charges in the contest with Dolos' third splitting the wins of Adrien Du Pont and Quel Destin. He has also introduced four French hurdles recruits in this contest, three of whom, namely Tatabeb, Sang Bleu and Caid Du Berlais, finished second. Gris de Gris has one winner from five in the division, but his record in France is much stronger and along with being a full-brother to a winning French juvenile, the third dam produced four winning jumpers in Declic, Impact, Azure and most notably, the graded class Franco. Houx Gris is something of an unknown quantity, but he ticks most boxes and is the representative of a strong trainer.
Mr Shady grg J S Moore f18-1-5 (63) 72 j2-0-1 (117) 111 117
Elzaam (Definite Article){4-i}(2.00) 3/1 Fontaine Fables 1st Novice Hurdle, Fairyhouse 1996
A veteran of twenty races to date, Mr Shady was able to collect a Lingfield handicap on the flat and his rating of 63 in that sphere is justified. He made an encouraging hurdles debut when fourth of eleven at Ludlow in November and while he started at 80/1 and was still beaten by nearly twenty lengths, the performance broadly matched his flat form. He made errors at half of his jumps, but his trainer's juveniles are not known to fall and he put up a better round next time at Wetherby. Keen in the early stages, he was in the front line throughout the race and after going through the top of the first, he hurdled very well before flattening the first in the straight. He made a blunder at the penultimate flight and was not especially tidy at the last either, but he only lost the lead at the half-furlong marker and still kept on to the line. Despite his vast racing experience, this performance marked a new career best for Mr Shady due to his good hurdling during the bulk of the race. Though he is a tough and consistent sort, he has not shown enough ability to be seriously competitive in this type of contest. Furthermore, Stan Moore's four runners in this contest have failed to reach a better position than Foleys Quest's fifth of six in 1997.
Nassalam chg Gary Moore j3-2-1 (140) 140 126
Dream Well (Shirocco){14-b}(0.80) 0.5 Msassa 4th Champion Four Year Old Hurdle (G1), Punchestown 2018
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The shortest priced British trained horse in the Triumph Hurdle markets, Nassalam found himself in that position by virtue of two demolition jobs at Fontwell in November and December. To suggest that he beat trees on those two outings does a disservice to the speed of some species as the Moluccan albizia has been documented reaching nearly eleven meters in just over a year. Perhaps the most reliable measure of his ability came on his French debut in a newcomers race at Clairefontaine in the end of June. The winner subsequently took a chase at Fontainebleau in October and another one at Auteuil in December. He is currently rated 143 while the horse who finished third is on 132, although that is a falling mark. Fourth placed Mistersister, who was less than two lengths behind, joined Charlie Mann after winning a Le Lion d'Angers claimer, but was pulled up on his British debut in the Summit Hurdle. Nassalam got big at a couple of the early flights at Clairefontaine and it was the same case on his UK debut at Fontwell. However, he became more fluent as the race progressed and while he was not foot perfect over the last, caution was the prevailing sentiment as his win was under no equine threat. The former inmate of Guillaume Macaire could not have won his race any easier having cruised into the lead turning for home before extending his advantage without being asked to accelerate. Though the runner-up had won in France, he disappointed again at Market Rasen and that is the only real measure for his UK form. He did win the race in a relatively good time, and followed up in an even weaker contest last month. Setting the pace throughout, he jumped left at every flight but was a bit neater than on his debut. He effortlessly drew clear to win by forty-nine lengths although the ineffectiveness of his opposition can not be understated. From a time performance on the ground and an assessment of the sectionals, he performed no better here than on his debut. Nassalam is clearly a useful horse but his latent superiority entitled him to win as he did and his further contraction in the Triumph markets was not justifiable on the basis of this outing alone. Gary Moore has yet to win this contest in ten attempts, with Sussex Ranger coming closest when second in 2018. Nevertheless, the yard has been among the winners recently and Nassalam is very much fits the "could be anything" trope. His overall form profile lacks discernible substance, but it will be exciting to see what he can produce in this company.
Pyramid Place bg Milton Harris f4-0-0 (69) 66 j2-1-1 (104) 97 107
Authorized (Zafonic){20-a}(0.81) 0.5 Jukebox Blues 9th Novices' Hurdle, Kelso 2020
Pyramid Place did not reach the frame in four starts for John Gosden during the winter, but he was a consistent animal who ran to a fair level and subsequently sold for 27,000 guineas at the Tattersalls August sale. Horses who leave the Gosden yard rarely do well in juvenile hurdles, but with seven months to physically develop, he made a fine start in his new vocation at Lingfield. Keen early and held up in the rear, he had a tendency to jump to his left and like the winner, was none too fluent in the straight. He made slow and steady headway along the back and got to within five lengths of the winner at the last. He did not get away from it quickly and took time to find his stride on the run-in. Ultimately, he only failed by a short head, but given his freshness and lack of fitness or experience, he was entitled to improve and he made good on his promise when winning at Bangor in November. While he started the day at 2/5, he drifted out to 11/10 before starting at evens. He actually drifted out to 8.4 in-running although he never looked beaten at any stage. Tucked in behind the leaders in a slowly run contest, Pyramid Place took a bit of a hold, but it was still less pronounced than it was on his debut. He was always travelling comfortably enough and his jumping was also better than first time out with the only flaws being that he was slightly skewed over the third, fourth and at three out. He did not show an explosive turn of foot to take the lead between the final two flights, but he had a clear advantage by the last and stayed on strongly to the line. He did not have to improve from his debut to win last time, and from a form perspective, this effort leaves him with a lot to find here. Milton Harris saddled Mondul to finish second in the 2003 renewal of this contest, but his only other runner was well beaten at 100/1 in 2011.
Yggdrasil bg Nick Williams j1-0-1 (-) 107 109
Kapgarde (Le Balafre){4-m}(1.67) 0.5 Siruh du Lac 1st Mildmay of Fleet (G3,141), Cheltenham 2019
Named after the home of Ratatoskr, Norse Mythology's only interesting character, Yggdrasil made his racecourse debut at Sandown early last month. Keen early on, he did not attack the initial jumps with any real conviction and got especially close to the fourth. His jumping was tidier from there and he was still in contention at the distance. However, his inexperience became conspicuous as he steadied into the penultimate flight and did not know what to make of Elham Valley squeezing past him. Though readily outpaced by the front pair, he still plugged on to win the battle for third. A Kapgarde half-brother to Siruh du Lac, Acta Est Fabula and Txamanxoia, out of a dual chase winner and closely related to 1995 Grand Course de Haies d'Auteuil winner Matchou, Yggdrasil is bred to be a viable prospect in both the short and long term. He was one of two entries for the Williamses in the original iteration of this contest, with stablemate Honneur d'Ajonc (33/1, generally 25/1 for the Triumph) coming close to winning the alternative engagement when falling at the last at Kempton. Nick Williams has won this race twice from eight runners, with Me Voici winning in 2009, and Le Rocher scoring in 2013. He has also sent talented horses to run into third including Coo Star Sivola, and Reve de Sivola. Yggdrasil will still need to find improvement from his debut outing, but he ran with plenty of promise and has considerable scope for a yard that should not be underestimated in this contest.
Strong prospects
1. Yggdrasil
Reasonable prospects
2. Adagio
3. Nassalam
4. Houx Gris
Feasible prospects
5. Bannister
Moderate prospects
6. Elham Valley
Negligible prospects
7. Mr Shady
8. Pyramid Place
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Best Mate is before my time though, to me Jim Culloty was just an average and 'random' trainer, I didn't know he'd ridden a Gold Cup winner until he's trained a festival winner 
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Out for the count. I can hearhim now, looking up at me...."how many winners have you trained ?"... Doesn't matter Jonjo, you don't need to be a chef to know the Vegan Suprise tastes good! 
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