Classy Quilixios out to strengthen Elliott's grip on juvenile hurdle division

1.40 Leopardstown
Tattersalls Ireland Spring Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) | 2m | 4yo | RTE2/ITV4/RTV

This race has lost a little bit of shape from the start of the week, with the top two in the market for the JCB Triumph Hurdle, Zanahiyr and French Aseel, absent from the Dublin Racing Festival, but it still should provide a very informative piece of form for the Triumph.

Sunday's Grade 1 prize has thrown up five winners and five seconds of Britain's premier juvenile hurdling contest over the past decade, and Quilixios looks the most obvious contender to follow in the footsteps of Our Conor in attempting the Leopardstown-Cheltenham double.

The highly regarded French recruit has impressed in both of his Irish starts, particularly when last seen at Down Royal in October, but his lack of a run for 99 days could potentially hand a minor edge to four of his five rivals who have run since Christmas.

Gordon Elliott has a definite stranglehold on this division and his decision to solely run Quilixios could be taken as a sign of the belief in the Cheveley Park-owned juvenile, although getting a run into him pre-Cheltenham is surely more pressing given he missed an intended Chepstow assignment last month due to Covid-19 travel protocols.

Jack Kennedy suggested after Zanahiyr's December win that Quilixios is a talented operator but the current Triumph favourite may be slightly superior. However, given how quickly juvenile hurdlers progress from month to month, there's no guarantee that pecking order will stay as it is forever.

Chanelle Pharma has increased its sponsorship role at the major weekend this year and could be rewarded with a winner as owners of the Joseph O'Brien-trained Busselton, who made an extremely positive start to life on these shores when second to Zanahiyr at Christmas.

Read more of our Sunday tipping . . .

Members' Club: Tom Segal thinks Willie Mullins is set for another good day at Leopardstown

Members' Club: Paul Kealy tipped 12-1 and 3-1 winners on Saturday and has six more fancies

Members' Club: David Jennings has four fancies for the final day of the Dublin Racing Festival

The Punt Daily: Tom Collins's free horse racing tip on Sunday afternoon

Sunday's free racing tips: six horses to consider putting in your multiple bets

That was a muddling, slowly run affair, but his trainer knows exactly what it takes to win this race, seeking a third win on the bounce, and there's bound to be improvement to come from the promising youngster.

The fact that Paul Townend rides Youmdor suggests he's the pick of Willie Mullins' three, but don't be surprised if Saint Sam shows up well after a luckless run behind Zanahiyr at Christmas.

It's worth remembering that he was sent off 4-5 to beat the current Triumph favourite at Fairyhouse and he could prove to be very useful with more time and experience.

What they say

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Quilixios
We're very lucky to have some lovely juveniles this season and Quilixios has done nothing wrong. He's not your typical juvenile in that I've no doubt he'll develop into a lovely chaser some day. He seems in good form at home, the ground should suit and we're looking forward to seeing how he gets on.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Ha D'Or, Saint Sam and Youmdor
Youmdor had a hard fall last time but has been fine since. He was going well when he came down. Ha D'Or ran very well on his first start over hurdles at Christmas. He's sure to improve and he'll be a nice horse some day – this might be too early in his career but he's gaining experience. Saint Sam finished fourth but ran way better than his finishing position, he probably got the worst run of the race. He's improving all the time.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Busselton
It was a good run from him over the course and distance at Christmas. That was his first start for us after a layoff so we're hoping he'll improve from that. We've always thought he could be a nice juvenile hurdler.

Paul Gilligan, trainer of Varna Gold
We know he's the outsider and he needs to step up, but we gave him a mid-winter break since his run behind Quilixios and I think he's improved from it.

Read more previews:

Supreme favourite Appreciate It bids to enhance Mullins' remarkable record

Threeunderthrufive bidding to break par again as he tackles longer trip

'They have a little history' - Monkfish and Latest Exhibition set to clash again

Going for Gold: quality five with a dozen Grade 1s between them lock horns

Ultimate Daily – our daily newsletters from Racing Post's experts, exclusive to the inbox of Ultimate Members' Club subscribers. To receive the newsletter subscribe here