PartialLogo
Reports

Saturday reaction: 'He showed he possesses a lethal change of gear'

Matt Rennie assesses the key performances from the top-class Saturday action

Tritonic: Britain's leading hope for the Triumph Hurdle following his Kempton victory
Tritonic: Britain's leading hope for the Triumph Hurdle following his Kempton victoryCredit: Mark Cranham

Brits bite back in Triumph with Tritonic

Britain desperately needed a leading Triumph Hurdle contender heading into the race's final recognised trial and up stepped Tritonic, who oozed quality and looked every inch a top-class performer with an easy success in the Grade 2 Adonis Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton.

His jumping was sketchy at times but it was only his second start over hurdles and he will improve with each race. He responded well when given a squeeze by jockey Adrian Heskin and showed he possesses a lethal change of gear, as well as plenty of stamina.

Bookmakers took no chances in shortening him to a general 7-2 (from 8-1) for the Triumph and on the evidence of his Kempton romp, the new course at Cheltenham should suit him to a tee.

Previous Adonis winners have not always fared brilliantly in the race but trainer Alan King completed the double with Penzance in 2005, so the talented four-year-old could hardly be in better hands.

With Tritonic and Chepstow Grade 1 winner Adagio in contention, it would be wrong to say the Triumph is the Irish trainers' to lose.

Cape may prefer Punchestown

Cape Gentleman earned plenty of plaudits following his tenacious victory in the Dovecote Novices' Hurdle but could be better suited by Punchestown than running at the Cheltenham Festival next month.

The five-year-old was an Irish Cesarewitch winner on the Flat and his success suggested longer trips on right-handed courses could be key.

Cape Gentleman: became the first Irish winner of the Dovecote Novices' Hurdle
Cape Gentleman: became the first Irish winner of the Dovecote Novices' HurdleCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Since joining Emmet Mullins, he is unbeaten going right-handed on the Flat and over hurdles, but has not won left-handed and hung right when he was pulled up at Leopardstown earlier this month.

That pours some cold water on his Cheltenham Festival chances but the 3m Grade 1 novice hurdle at Punchestown, where he won for the first time over hurdles, looks as though it could be an ideal target.

Powerful Champion Hurdle team

Henry de Bromhead holds a strong hand in the Champion Hurdle with Honeysuckle and Aspire Tower, and could have another contender in Jason The Militant, a comfortable winner at Fairyhouse.

The seven-year-old has been a model of consistency and took his form to another level with an effortless success in the Grade 3 Red Mills Trials Hurdle, after which he was shortened to 25-1 (from 66-1) with Paddy Power for the Grade 1 Unibet Champion Hurdle.

He would need to improve markedly to challenge the likes of Epatante and Honeysuckle but he is unexposed at the highest level.

Shishkin form looks solid

Shishkin's form was given another boost as Tamaroc Du Mathan recorded a smooth victory in the Pendil Novices' Chase at Kempton.

The six-year-old was no match for Shishkin when a distant second in the Wayward Lad Novices' Chase over Christmas but went one better for trainer Paul Nicholls and looked a class above his rivals.

Tamaroc Du Mathan: enhanced Shishkin's form with a Grade 2 victory
Tamaroc Du Mathan: enhanced Shishkin's form with a Grade 2 victoryCredit: Edward Whitaker

Some questioned the quality of the runners Shishkin has beaten but he has now finishing in front of two Grade 2 winners with ease this season, which has undoubtedly elevated his claims in the Arkle.

Great credit must be given to Paul Nicholls too, who has become the go-to trainer for Pendil winners with a record 11th success in the race only 15 years after his first success.


Watch live races through the Racing Post website. Log in to your bookmaker account via the bookmaker button at the top of the page and look on the racecards for eligible races. Click the red 'Watch live now' icon and they're off! Find out how here


Published on 27 February 2021inReports

Last updated 18:18, 27 February 2021

iconCopy