Tom Collins breaks down a major match-up between Zanahiyr and Tritonic

Sean Flanagan on Zanahiyr: 'You'd have to say that he looked like he struggled for pace late on at Punchestown last year.'

Zanahiyr: unbeaten in three hurdling outingsCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

1.20 Cheltenham
JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) | 2m1f | 4yo | ITV/RTV

Joe Frazier v Muhammad Ali. Arnold Palmer v Jack Nicklaus. Roger Federer v Rafael Nadal. Zanahiyr v Tritonic. The brilliance of sport is showcased through rivalries and a burgeoning competition between two smart juvenile hurdlers is the latest to hit the headlines.

The Triumph isn't usually considered one of the most exciting races of the week at the Cheltenham Festival, but this year is different. Zanahiyr's presence alone has drawn intense discussion throughout the last four months.

The son of Nathaniel fended off a talented Willie Mullins-trained rival on debut over 2m2f at Ballinrobe in October, before showcasing a high cruising speed and exquisite turn of foot to thump subsequent Boodles runner-up Saint Sam by 14 lengths at Fairyhouse the following month.

Tactically versatile isn't a phrase often uttered about juvenile hurdlers as the trait is generally developed with experience. But Zanahiyr proved his tactical capabilities when settling off a slow gallop and asserting his authority in the Grade 2 Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown's Christmas festival. However this race develops, Zanahiyr is equipped to handle it.

Ability certainly isn't a question, either, given his 149 official rating and peak 148 RPR. In fact, he seems to tick virtually every box. But similar can be also said for the immensely promising Tritonic, who leads the home-field challenge for Alan King, winning trainer of this race in 2005 (Penzance) and 2007 (Katchit).

A breeze-up purchases, not many of whom make up into the best jumpers, Tritonic boasted a high level of form on the Flat, headlined by a runner-up effort in the Golden Gates Handicap at Royal Ascot in June. He had the potential to compete in Group races next season but connections were quick to switch codes.

No ricks have been detected so far bar the strength of his form. Both victories have come at the hands of Casa Loupi, who failed to supplement the form when sent off a short-priced favourite at Stratford last week. However, the visual impression left by Tritonic in the Adonis was exceptional.

He scooted clear from his rivals and hit the line strongly, indicating that the Cheltenham hill will enable him to ignite the afterburners. On figures he has a couple of pounds to find with Zanahiyr, but both are open to unlimited amounts of improvement.

Outside of the favourites, there are two equally exciting and proven types in Quilixios and Adagio. The first-named runner is unbeaten in four starts and, like Zanahiyr, has beaten Saint Sam by a comfortable margin.

Visually, he looks like a chaser and could lack the gears of the aforementioned pair, but he has already recorded a Grade 1 victory so shouldn't be taken lightly.

Similar sentiments apply to Adagio, who sauntered clear in the Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow when last seen in January. Prior to that, he staked his claims for this race by winning a trial over the course and distance.

Winners of that event are often well-found in the market for the Triumph, but only once in the last ten years (Defi Du Seuil, 2017) have they followed up.
Race analysis by Tom Collins

King: rare high-class Flat recruit Tritonic is 'so laid back he's virtually horizontal'

You have to go back to 2007 Triumph hero Celestial Halo – who ran seventh in Lucarno's St Leger the previous September – to find the last winner of this race to have achieved a Flat rating of 100.

Even the high-class Ballydoyle project Ivanovich Gorbatev was only rated 97 before he made the early switch in disciplines following just three starts.

Tritonic clears away from Casa Loupi to land the Close Brothers Adonis Hurdle at KemptonCredit: Alan Crowhurst

When you look at the annual exodus of smart middle-distance types to the high prize-money havens of Australia, Hong Kong and the Middle East, it's not hard to see why that source of potentially smart juvenile hurdlers has almost dried up in Britain.

But owners Max McNeill and Ian Dale, along with trainer Alan King, have evolved a dual-discipline outlook in recent years and Tritonic is the result of a team prepared to spend good money at the breeze-up sales for a horse with a future in both codes.

Tritonic found only Highland Chief too strong in a Royal Ascot Handicap and while he is 1lb shy of the magic 100 mark on the Flat, he has made the perfect start to his hurdling career, with a hard fought success on debut at Ascot and then a scintillating effort to burn off his rivals in the Grade 2 Adonis Hurdle at Kempton.

"I couldn't have wished for anything more from him in the Adonis at Kempton and everything has gone to plan since then," said King.

"Adrian Heskin came and had a sit on him on Monday morning and jumped six hurdles just to keep his eye in. We're very happy with the horse, he's beautifully relaxed now – he's so laid back he's virtually horizontal!

"There's no point comparing him to my previous Triumph winners. Though he's a much better Flat horse than either Katchit or Penzance were, he's been trained totally differently. He had a proper break in the autumn and didn't come back in to strong work until December.

"While I'd expect him to run really well at Cheltenham, I'm taking nothing for granted as I have great respect for the Irish juveniles and there's no collateral form between the two countries."

Has Mullins turned a corner?

Willie Mullins would be the first to admit that Burning Victory was a fortunate winner 12 months ago after Goshen's departure when well clear at the last, though he may have felt entitled to a change of luck.

After winning the race back in 2002 with Scolardy, Mullins saddled 28 runners without success in the race, though six made the frame.

Willie Mullins had to wait a long time between drinks in the Triumh HurdleCredit: Michael Steele

What they say

David Pipe, trainer of Adagio
He's been in good form but unfortunately it looks an exceptional Triumph. He's got form round the track, he won't mind what the ground is and hopefully he'll have an each-way chance.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Haut En Couleurs and Tax For Max
Haut En Couleurs is a horse we purchased in France earlier in the season. It’s taken us all this time to get him right but we were very happy with his latest work. We’d rather have had a run under our belt but the way things worked out we couldn’t get one in. However he’s not a back-number in this field. This is a big ask for Tax For Max. However, he’s gaining invaluable experience in this field for later in his career.

Nigel Hawke, trainer of Historic Heart
I find his price a bit of an insult. He's done nothing wrong and we've deliberately gone the Triumph route over the Fred Winter because he's a better horse in a smaller field. Pipey's horse [Adagio] beat us four lengths at Cheltenham and we gave him 3lb on ground he doesn't want. He'll have his ground and his small field and he's justified in taking his chance.

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Quilixios
It's a really competitive Triumph this year but his form is as good as any of them so he goes into the race with a big chance. He's been great since he got here and I have only positive things to say about him.

Denise Foster, trainer of Zanahiyr
He's been a natural since he first jumped a hurdle. He's had a great season up to now. The team here have always loved him. He's had the perfect prep and hopefully he is the one they all have to beat.

Sean Curran, trainer of Talking About You
I'm looking forward to it. There's obviously some very good juveniles in there but she's in great order and there's only eight of us so we'll give it a go. She'll love the ground drying out, though so will the others probably. She's 66-1 and if she finishes sixth it'll be a massive run.
Reporting by Scott Burton

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