Moore 'on the fence' as latest juvenile bids to prove Triumph Hurdle credentials

Gary Moore believes Perseus Way has what it takes to shape into a Triumph Hurdle contender, provided the promising three-year-old improves at his hurdles.

Weather permitting, Perseus Way is set to line up in the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (12.05) at Cheltenham on Saturday and could reoppose Scriptwriter, who beat him on his hurdling debut over just shy of this trip here in November.

Poor jumping wrecked his chance on that occasion and although he was a 24-length winner at Leicester last month, he was less than fluent once again.

"I think the race at Leicester was pretty average," Moore said. "He needs to brush up his jumping for the race on Saturday but if he does he will hold every chance.

"I wouldn't be totally confident he can turn the form around with Scriptwriter but I'm hopeful."

Perseus Way is a general 33-1 shot for the Triumph Hurdle, a race that cruelly eluded Moore when Goshen fell from a ten-length lead in 2020.

Moore remains undecided on his festival destination, however, with Saturday unlikely to help him much with that particular decision.

"I think the trial races this early in the season probably don't tell the full story," he said. "I'd be sitting on the fence as to whether he's a Triumph Hurdle horse."

Moore's strong squad for this year's International meeting also includes Nassalam, who will take his chance on Friday provided the weather plays ball.

Editeur Du Gite: bidding for a repeat at Cheltenham on SaturdayCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Editeur Du Gite was a dual winner at Cheltenham last season and he bids to win the 2m½f handicap chase (1.15) on Saturday's card for the second year running.

"He's one who will appreciate the nice ground," he added. "He's got to give weight all around but he's got to for a reason.

"It's a shame we haven't been able to run him since his promising reappearance but we're looking forward to Saturday."

Pipe hoping for Mor

David Pipe is already looking towards next season with his unbeaten hurdler Thomas Mor, who is set to be tested in Grade 2 company in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (3.00) on Saturday.

The five-year-old built on a promising debut win at Worcester in October with a 57-length rout of his rivals at Wincanton but Pipe is keen to keep expectations grounded.

Thomas Mor: a 57-length winner at Wincanton last timeCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

"The race fell apart, hence the handicapper won't give him a mark at the present moment and wants him to run again," said Pipe. "We won't know the true value of that until we run him again.

"He's won twice for us already, he's done well and we're especially looking forward to putting him over a fence next year."

Thomas Mor is best-priced at 40-1 for the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival and although Pipe is hoping for a big run on Saturday, March is yet to cross his mind.

"I'm never happy unless I win," added Pipe. "I don't want to look too far ahead of Saturday, let's not run before we can walk. We'll see who turns up on Saturday, that will tell us more."

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