Bookmakers convinced Solo can follow Zarkandar feat and land the Triumph

Lightning does sometimes strike the same place twice, or at least that is the view of the bookmakers who believe we saw the Triumph Hurdle winner at Kempton on Saturday afternoon.

Nine years ago Zarkandar thrust himself into the Cheltenham picture with an impressive victory for Paul Nicholls in the Adonis Juvenile Hurdle then followed up at the festival three weeks later.

But are they right to think that Solo, who bolted up in the same Grade 2 event for the same trainer, is cut from the same cloth?

JCB Triumph Hurdle card and betting

There is no doubt the Auteuil winner was mightily impressive, adapting well on his British debut and justifying 6-4 favouritism when flying home 13 lengths clear of Fujimoto Flyer under Harry Cobden.

Physically, he looks robust and reports suggesting he was bought with a long-term future as a chaser in mind are understandable.

In the more immediate future, he looks an obvious major contender for the Triumph. None of the contenders seen already this term had shown the form normally to be expected of a four-year-old champion.

It is true to say that most of the others in the Adonis field boasted little better than fair form and that fellow Auteuil winner Fujimoto Flyer did not produce her best performance.

But the way Solo powered clear over the final two flights suggested he will be the one to beat at Cheltenham, with time running out for other rivals to emerge and Nicholls unlikely to have been frightened by Burning Victory's win at Fairyhouse.

Nor do connections lack confidence, as Cobden told ITV4: "He's a beautiful horse. He's got it all really. He travels, jumps, and has got a great temperament for a colt. It's nice to be on him.

"It was so easy for him. He's got such a big stride and he's very genuine. I do feel privileged riding horses like this."

Nicholls added on Racing TV: "Undoubtedly he's a very smart horse. He's got more scope than Zarkandar and he's hugely exciting."

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