I’M FEELING SUPERSONIC GIVE ME WIN ON TRITONIC
Heskin hopes King’s novice books a place
ADRIAN HESKIN believes Tritonic can force his way firmly into the picture for the best Triumph Hurdle in years.
Owner Max McNeill’s retained jockey will get back on board the talented Alan King inmate tomorrow at Kempton as he looks to book his ticket to the Festival.
He came second at Royal Ascot last year during an impressive flat campaign which also produced a runner-up show in the Glasgow Stakes behind subsequent Group One winner Subjectivist at Hamilton to earn a rating of 99.
Tritonic then returned to Berkshire to start his hurdling career with an impressive success which caught the eye of many shrewd judges last month.
Heskin’s mount was instantly chopped into as short as 12/1 from around the 33/1 mark for the Friday opener and those odds will contract significantly again if he gets the job done at Sunbury to stake his position as the No.1 UK hope in the contest.
He said: “He impressed us at Ascot because he had to dig deep to win. I love the way he went through the race because he jumped and travelled really well.
“There is plenty to build upon fitness-wise and I think he will come on from that Ascot run.
“That was just his first run over hurdles and it would have knocked the rust off him. It was also a first run after being gelded as well.
“He’s had a smooth trip from Ascot as far as going into Kempton is concerned and he has a big reputation.
“It’s exciting to have him out again on Saturday.
“It represents the next step of his education. Of course we would all love to see him win and hopefully he can.
“But the main thing is that he learns a lot and we can keep him going forward in the right direction.” McNeill has come close in the Triumph Hurdle before with Walkon filling second spot in the race 12 years ago before Grumeti was third behind Countrywide Flame in the 2012 renewal.
Penzance and Katchit have both been winners for King but the Irish have a mighty-looking hand for this season with two of Gordon Elliott’s young stars at the head of the market.
Zanahiyr has been top of the ante-post lists since hacking up during the festive period while Quilixios also put forward strong claims with a smooth success at the Dublin Racing Festival.
Willie Mullins has also recently taken control of French Aseel for the Joe Donnelly team.
Heskin knows there is going to be lots of quality within a deep event but is also sure that Tritonic will be a worthy rival if he can produce the goods at Kempton and head into next month’s showdown with a two-from-two hurdles record.
He said: “It is looking as good a Triumph as there has been in recent years. The Irish team appears very strong and there are plenty of good English horses around too.
“But Tritonic’s flat rating entitles him to be up there and we hope he can back it up at Kempton. If he does, he’s worthy of his opportunity.”