Landofhopeandglory bids to stake Triumph claims after first defeat

1.45 Fairyhouse
Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 3) | 2m, 4yo | ATR

Landofhopeandglory surrendered his unbeaten record over hurdles in a Grade 2 at Leopardstown over Christmas and has suddenly become the forgotten horse in the JCB Triumph Hurdle. Having spent much of the autumn and winter as favourite, he is now 20-1 with Betfair Sportsbook. Victory here would surely see that price cut.

The 102-rated Flat performer won his first three starts over hurdles in style, including twice at this venue, but could not repel the Willie Mullins-trained Bapaume at Leopardstown, where he was denied by a length and three-quarters.

The form of that contest has worked out well, though, as third home Mega Fortune has since beaten Bapaume in the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle.

In that Spring Juvenile Hurdle, Dinaria Des Obeaux came third. She had created a favourable impression on her debut for Gordon Elliott when winning by 29 lengths at Cork and it is interesting to see Bryan Cooper choose her over Mengli Khan.

Ex Patriot was too good for Mengli Khan at this track in mid January and that pair renew rivalry.

Favourites flop
This race has not gone the way the market suggested in recent years. The last favourite to oblige was Alaivan in 2010 at 4-6. Vercingetorix, Adriana Des Mottes, Voix Du Reve, Dogora and Minsk have all been beaten at odds of even-money or shorter in recent years.

What they say

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Landofhopeandglory and Sword Fighter
Landofhopeandglory seems in really good form but I'd be worried about the heavy ground for him, and he's giving away a lot of weight to some good horses so it will not be easy. Sword Fighter has been disappointing but hopefully will show a bit more spark this time.

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of Prospectus
It's a Grade 3 in name but a Grade 1 in disguise. I wasn't expecting it to be such a hot race but there's nothing we can do about that. He'll love the ground and has already proved he loves the track so he'll run well, but it's a very hot race for a Grade 3.

Ellmarie Holden, trainer of Ex Patriot
He's in great shape and I think he's improved again. It was a big step up to run in a Grade 1 after winning a maiden hurdle but I thought he acquitted himself quite well at Leopardstown.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Mengli Khan and Dinaria Des Obeaux
Dinaria Des Obeaux is probably our number one. She was very impressive when winning by a long way at Cork and I thought she ran well in the Grade 1 last time. She made a mistake at the second-last and lost vital ground. But for that she'd have finished a lot closer. She's seemed in good form since and, if she wins this, we'll have to think about the Triumph for her. Mengli Khan ran well here last time but is probably a horse for next season when he strengthens up.