Triumph favourite Fil Dor puts unbeaten hurdles record on the line in Grade 2

Sunday: 1.10 Leopardstown
Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) | 2m | 3yo | RTE2/RTV

Gordon Elliott won this race last year with beaten Triumph Hurdle favourite Zanahiyr, and the trainer should take all the beating again with the exciting Fil Dor, who already tops the Triumph market at 4-1.

Having won the same race at Down Royal as last season's Cheltenham hero Quilixios on his Irish debut in October, Fil Dor was impressive in landing a Fairyhouse Grade 3 last month from Lunar Power, who features among the opposition again.

This doesn't appear to be a much tougher task for the talented grey as he goes left-handed for the first time.

Fil Dor: already favourite for the Triumph Hurdle at CheltenhamCredit: Patrick McCann

One of his biggest dangers hails from his own yard in the shape of Britzka, a 66-rated Flat performer who won on his hurdles/stable debut at Fairyhouse two weeks ago.

It's possible he could develop into a more lively candidate for the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle come March, but he is open to any amount of improvement.

Lunar Power got within a length and a quarter of Fil Dor at Fairyhouse and is 3lb better off at the weights now. It looks a tough ask to reverse that form, but he is the most solid option to chase the favourite home.

Calvados and Six Feet Apart finished second and fourth in a Listed juvenile fillies' hurdle at Aintree this month behind Sea Sessions, who in turn was a 16-length runner-up to Fil Dor on her previous start.

Britzka: made a bright start to life over hurdles at FairyhouseCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Both will surely be hunting for black type, and similar applies to Scenic Look, who has run respectably behind Britzka, Fil Dor and Lunar Power on her last three starts but needs to show plenty of improvement.

Rebel Step, the highest rated of these on the Flat having held a mark of 93, was still in contention when falling two out at Punchestown on his introduction to hurdling and should have more to offer in this sphere.

What they say

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Fil Dor and Britzka
I was impressed with Britzka at Fairyhouse and we've always thought Fil Dor was a nice horse. You'd have to say Fil Dor is a bit ahead of Britzka, but we'll see.

Sean Flanagan, rider of Lunar Power
He's progressed nicely since I first rode him at Down Royal in August and the stiff track at Leopardstown should suit. Fil Dor is the obvious one to beat and it'll be a big ask to reverse the placings from Fairyhouse, but our horse brings some solid form to the table.

Andrew Slattery, trainer of Rebel Step
Neither Danny Mullins or I know exactly how he'd have fared if he hadn't come down at the second-last last time, but Danny did say he would have at least been involved up to the final flight. He's schooled twice at the Curragh since and we're very happy with him.

John McConnell, trainer of Calvados
We were delighted with her at Aintree and she's come out of that very well. This looks a good opportunity to get more black type. There are some proper horses in here, but we couldn't be going there any happier with her. She's improved plenty for the switch to hurdles and is hopefully still improving.

Mark Fagan, trainer of Scenic Look
She ran well behind Britzka last time and seems to keep galloping away. We're probably up against it here but it would be great if she could get some black type. She's in great form.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Six Feet Apart
We're hoping to get some black type. It's a small field but this is a competitive race.

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