It would be fair to say that finding Poniros, the 100/1 winner of this year's JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham was a difficult task. I certainly didn't back him. However, despite the result, the French recruits still made up the majority of the field and whilst there could be a tendency to look at the SP of the winner and discard this form, that would be a mistake. Here are my notes on all of the French horses that ran in the race and what it might mean for their futures. I have no doubt that Lulamba is the best horse in this field and I can't wait to see what he will do with the benefit of more time in the Henderson yard, but there were also several who finished further back that are worthy of note.
Triumph Hurdle
4:02.10 - Winners Finishing Speed 107.29%. Fastest winning time since Defi du Seuil in 2017.
*Winning time was better than the County Hurdle (4:05.57)
Lulamba
Solid run on just his 3rd start. Saw off East India Dock and was actually faster than him in each of the final 4-furlongs. Looked to have made a winning run with the stands rail to help before being chinned in the final strides. No shame in defeat and possibly will be suited by slightly slower ground in future. Well placed behind the Gredley pair, though perhaps wasn’t ideal to have Opec fade so soon and met the 5th flight on the wrong stride as a result of switching around her when she dropped away from the lead. Made a mistake at 2nd last when getting too close to the flight, recovered momentum and worked to get a gap between East India Dock and Place de la Nation. Recorded 37.58 mph top speed (better than the winner) but lost 0.58s to him over the final 2-furlongs. Surely stays further in time? The best of the French recruits in this division.
Lady Vega Allen
Very keen. Made a mistake at the 2nd and pulled hard to lead into the back straight. Raced wider under Paul Townend (perhaps not by choice). Led by 2-lengths at the top of the hill, but landed on all fours when getting to the 2nd last on the wrong stride. Raced in the centre of the track late on, against the bias, but did keep on the beaten 3-lengths. A good effort given how keen she was, though the drying ground perhaps helped her get home. Wore a Tongue-tie on debut at Moulins, but headgear not reached for since switching to Willie Mullins. Might need some assistance to help her settle but showed she has ability here.
Place de la Nation
Finished 3rd in the Prix Finot at Auteuil in September. In hindsight, probably shouldn’t have had a 100/1 SP given the form of her 2nd placed finish behind Karoline Banbou in February. Raced behind the pace, jumping behind Lulamba at the 2nd last. Didn’t have the pace to keep Lulamba in between the last 2 flights, but kept on to finish 5th. Half-sister to Quai de Bourbon. Straight forwards, might want a little further, but ran well and would be of interest if kept as a Novice for next season.
Sainte Lucie
Ran with a hood for the first time. Would probably have preferred more cut in the ground. Clocked a higher top speed than the winner at 37.22 mph and a run-out speed of 24.83 mph suggests there was something left, but beaten a fair distance nonetheless. Raced widest in mid-division. Still travelling at the 2nd last, but lost 1.5s on Lulamba over the next 2-furlongs where she was outpaced. Fate accepted, she drifted left at the last but did keep on under a gentle ride. Connections have a good record with her Sire and she seemed much calmer in a hood, but work to do with the best of these. Presumably jumps a fence at some point in the future.
Mondo Man
Settled better this time, probably because of the bigger field and decent pace. Made error at the 5th when leaving his rear legs in the ground but did recover. Dived a little at the 2nd last and ridden away from it. Didn’t find a great deal when the pace lifted, losing 3.11s on Lulamba over furlongs 14 and 15. Had 9 starts in just over a year, including 3 in last 8 weeks and may need time, but for all his Flat form, he has only actually won a Deauville maiden. Did run a better race here and handicapper likely to leave the mark of 124 alone. One for handicaps next year perhaps?
Lumiere du Large
Only made his hurdles debut at Pau in December after winning on the Flat at Les Sables in October. Pau form hasn’t really worked out, but having only joined Willie Mullins in December she has run well to a point. Recorded as first-time tongue-tie but that is wrong, she wore both a hood and tongue-tie on both starts in France for Erwan Grall. Sat mid-division but was easily outpaced after the 2nd last. A longer term project, but still a novice for next season.
Willy de Houelle
Ah Willy! Love affair with this horse is well and truly over. Reached a rating of 130 on 2nd start for Arnaud Chaille-Chaille but simply hasn’t improved. Finished running on 4th at the DRF, but that form now open to question and was never really involved here. Sat in mid-division and was keen at times, which perhaps wasn’t ideal, but can’t make excuses for him at this stage and others are improving past him consistently. Been on the go since March 2024 so entitled to a break, but has some strengthening to do before he would be of interest. Would prefer softer ground.
Charlus
Had some smart form on the Flat in France. Bought to be dual purpose but I suspect will now be re-routed towards a Flat campaign now. Held up but didn’t jump quickly and was beaten quickly. Listed placed on the Flat in France so not one to give up on. Only made hurdles debut at the end of January so perhaps been a little behind since joining.
Larzac
Made debut when 2nd behind Live Conti (Skelton) in the Prix Pride of Kildare. Here for the experience perhaps. Traveled well towards the rear to a point and did race wide. Jumped straight in the main but quickly beaten and probably lacked experience to get involved when the pace lifted. No harm done and surely a horse to note as a Novice for next season for JP/Mullins.
Comentarios