Keith Melrose dissects the drama of an unforgettable Triumph Hurdle

The Triumph Hurdle brings together the best of the juvenile hurdlers. Keith Melrose takes a look back on a dramatic race . . .

Anticipated pace burn-ups rarely come to pass. Jockeys know as well as anyone when there are three or four of them who want to press on and will tend to take steps among themselves to make sure it does not happen.

The exceptions tend to come when it is not the jockeys who are calling the shots. Juvenile hurdlers, often buzzy Flat-breds or otherwise inexperienced sorts, can make the task of trying to hold onto them more destructive than contesting the pace. That was what seemed to happen in the Triumph Hurdle.