O’brien’s Sir Erec has the tools to Triumph
HAVING made his Festival breakthrough with Band Of Outlaws on Wednesday, Joseph O’brien should strike again with another exciting four-year-old, Sir Erec, in today’s opener the JCB Triumph Hurdle.
A listed winner on the flat before finishing a hugely creditable third to Europe’s top stayer Stradivarius at Ascot in October, the son of Camelot is unbeaten in two starts over obstacles.
And he was hugely impressive when making all for Grade 1 success in the Spring Juvenile at Leopardstown last time.
The only concern surrounding Sir Erec is the stone-bruise he sustained last week. But, reportedly back in fine fettle he’s undoubtedly the horse to beat.
Paul Nicholls’ Quel Destin, a prolific winner, looks best of the home challengers while, despite a couple of below par efforts, the Gordon Elliott-trained Coeur Sublime has an each-way shout.
Elliott’s Commander Of Fleet, which appreciated the step-up in trip when bagging a Grade 1 in Leopardstown last time, leads the 10-strong Irish challenge for the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett Novices
Hurdle, in which Rhinestone is also expected to figure prominently.
Third to Mohaayed in the race 12 months ago, Whiskey Sour, for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh, is the choice in the typically competitivelooking County Hurdle.
Despite a defeat by subsequent Tetratema winner Fenno’s Storm in a point-topoint in Kilfeacle since his hunter chase debut success in Down Royal, Enda Bolger’s Stand Up And Fight (Derek O’connor) might stamp his class on the Foxhunters.
The Elliott runner Ucello Conti boasts solid placed form in some of the top staying handicaps of recent seasons and has won his two hunterchases, at Thurles and Navan, with the minimum of fuss.
And Jamie Codd’s mount should be in the shake-up too.
The combination of Elliott, Gigginstown and Donagh Meyler, successful with Blow By Blow last year, might complete back-to-back wins in the Martin Pipe with Dallas Des Pictons. Runner-up to Ballymore winner City Island at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting, he won his maiden at Punchestown before making a successful handicap debut over three miles at Leopardstown.
He doesn’t look too harshly treated here and might send punters home happy.