'Hopefully better ground and a stronger pace will suit him' - connections on their Triumph Hurdle contenders
Top trainers discuss their hopes for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham on March 15
Nicky Henderson, trainer of Sir Gino
He looked the part from day one. Kempton was good, but we resisted getting carried away before we could see what he could do, and I think we did on Saturday. It was pretty clinical, you could barely fault him. He jumps and travels and while he was green at Kempton he knew what he was doing this time. He's got so much size and scope we could put him away to go novice chasing, but we've got to go to the Triumph now.
James Owen, trainer of Burdett Road
We were beaten by what could be a superstar in Sir Gino at the weekend, but he's come out of the race fine and it's all systems go for the Triumph. Hopefully the better ground and stronger pace there will suit. I was pleased with him at Cheltenham as he jumped better, but we were up against a freakish performance and one I hope he doesn't repeat in March.
Access premium tipping
View daily premium tips from the Racing Post’s foremost experts, including the likes of Tom Segal, Paul Kealy and more
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
- 'He's crying out for a step up in trip and looks tailor-made for it' - Tom Segal has two ante-post picks for the Gold Cup
- 'We've mapped out her spring campaign towards Royal Ascot' - trainer quotes for the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot
- Big-race trends: key stats to help you find the Gold Cup winner
- Big-race trends: key stats to help you find the Derby winner
- 'All of his juvenile form has been boosted this season' - Tom Segal's ante-post pick for the Derby
- 'He's crying out for a step up in trip and looks tailor-made for it' - Tom Segal has two ante-post picks for the Gold Cup
- 'We've mapped out her spring campaign towards Royal Ascot' - trainer quotes for the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot
- Big-race trends: key stats to help you find the Gold Cup winner
- Big-race trends: key stats to help you find the Derby winner
- 'All of his juvenile form has been boosted this season' - Tom Segal's ante-post pick for the Derby