Is Magistrato Paul Nicholls' next juvenile star? Graeme Rodway gives his view

Saturday: 12.30 CheltenhamJCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) | 2m½f | 3yo | ITV/RTV

It's not hard to know where to look here because Paul Nicholls and Dan Skelton have won four of the last ten runnings from just ten runners between them.

Nicholls saddles Magistrato and Skelton relies on Rocky Man and the ex-French pair both made their British debuts in the same juvenile hurdle at Chepstow last month when Magistrato won easily by 12 lengths. He is favourite to confirm places on the same terms.

However, that race was run 7.13sec slower than the following Class 2 handicap hurdle over the same course and distance and Magistrato also ran the final four furlongs of his race in a time 3.8s slower than the winner of the handicap, Masters Legacy. Rocky Man finished even slower at 6.11s behind Masters Legacy (sectionals: totalperformancedata.com).

A slow overall time coupled with a slow finishing split (in the context of this class of horse) suggests that race might not have been as strong as it looked on paper, but the fact remains that two of Nicholls' three winners of this race this century ran at Chepstow en route to here.

So who is the fast finisher in the race? Look no further than Knight Salute, who powered home to beat odds-on favourite Impulsive One at Kempton last month and win going away.

Knight Salute recorded the highest Topspeed figure on offer in the race over hurdles (92) on that occasion and that is 11lb higher than Magistrato.

Knight Salute is one of two runners for in-form trainer Milton Harris, who also saddles Aliomaana. Her highest Topspeed is 91 and that makes her the top-rated in the race on those figures with her 7lb female allowance included.

Alan King won this in 2006 with Katchit and 2007 with Franchoek, but is without a winner since, and Stuart Edmunds was successful with Wolf Of Windlesham in 2015. King runs Caramelised and Edmunds will be represented by Addosh, and they have already met a couple of times.

Addosh beat Caramelised by nine lengths on the latest occasion at Market Rasen in September, but Caramelised was trying to concede 15lb to Addosh and is 11lb better off at revised weights.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

Magistrato 'goes there with a right chance'

Paul Nicholls bids to win the Triumph Hurdle rehearsal for the fourth time in a decade with Magistrato, who is already 25-1 for the race itself back at the track in March.

As well as the highs, there have been a few recent lows in the extended two-mile contest for the Ditcheat team with market leaders Mick Pastor (sixth in 2019) and then Hell Red failing to complete a year ago when sent off at 11-10.

Prior to that, however, the ex-French Quel Destin had done the business in 2018 and Nicholls is out to repeat the trick with this year's import Magistrato, who landed the odds in impressive fashion on his British debut at Chepstow last month.

Nicholls said: "We thought Magistrato would win at Chepstow on his first run for us and we were pleased with the way he did it, beating Dan's horse [Rocky Man] by 12 lengths. He doesn't get a penalty for that race, which is a plus, and although it's much more competitive, he goes there with a right chance."

What they say

Milton Harris, trainer of Knight Salute and Aliomaana
Knight Salute has lots of talent and a turn of foot and has been suited by the quick ground that we've been having lately and should enjoy the surface again. He must go there with plenty of pace and, technically, his jumping is very good. Aliomaana is rated 115 and gets a fillies' allowance, which brings her close to some of the more fancied ones, and she won't be disgraced.

Anthony Honeyball, trainer of Mister Allegro
His debut win at Ludlow took us by surprise but he backed that up with a slick display at Wincanton and if he jumps like he schooled this morning, then he could have some sort of chance in a better race. He deserves to take his chance and will be less novicey than some.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Rocky Man
He had a good run last time at Chepstow. We were beaten by Magistrato and I don't see how we're going to make up the distance in one go, but he's improved for the run and I'm looking forward to running him here. I think he will outrun his odds.

Stuart Edmunds, trainer of Addosh
On ratings we look silly to be taking part but she was going so well when unseating three out at Wetherby that we thought we'd take a chance and I don't think she'll be disgraced.
Reporting by David Milnes

Saturday's race previews:

12.00 Punchestown: all eyes on exciting Bob Olinger as Ballymore winner makes chase debut

12.38 Punchestown: Arkle clues on offer as Cape Gentleman bids to maintain unbeaten chase record

1.40 Cheltenham: 'I don't have him in the Arkle picture' – just how good is Third Time Lucki?

2.15 Cheltenham: 'I couldn't be happier with him' – key trainer quotes for the Paddy Power

2.50 Cheltenham: is there a Mrs Milner lurking? Festival clues on offer again for Listed contest

3.25 Cheltenham: Murphy and Skelton hotpots all the rage but dangers lurk in tough handicap

3.40 Lingfield: how do Group 1 winners fare on the all-weather? Here's the definitive answer

Upping The Ante star Gavin Lynch joins the Racing Post roster for a weekly Saturday column throughout the jumps season. He'll offer a guide to the weekend action, highlight the horses and races to watch and share his punting wisdom. Read it every Saturday in the Racing Post or online from 4pm every Friday, exclusively for Members' Club subscribers. Sign up to Members' Club here for more top jumps season insight.