JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial |
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| (Registered As The Finesse Juvenile Hurdle) Grade 2, Cheltenham 12:40 £30,000 added, 4yo only, 2m 1f, Class 1  |
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| Saturday 24th January 2015 | |
1 Peace And Co 4/9F
2 Karezak
3 Zarib
6 ran Distances: 3l, 9l, ½l
TIME 4m 21.60s (slow by 27.10s)
Peace and Co looks impressive in the JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial
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In doing so, Peace And Co consolidated his position as ante-post favourite for the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Trainer Nicky Henderson said: "We had to try to get him to settle, but that was a fair mess of a race - they went no gallop at all.
"It would have done him good as it's the first time he's had any horses in front of him.
"You wouldn't run him again (before the Cheltenham Festival).
"He'll go straight there now."
Ibis Du Rheu and Zarib jousted for the lead for most of the race, but the pace was unsatisfactory from the outset.
Peace And Co was desperate to get on with it under Barry Geraghty, but last month's facile Doncaster winner was only given the freedom to express himself up the home straight.
A crisp leap at the last gave Geraghty's partner a narrow advantage and while Karezak again showed plenty of resolution, he was comprehensively beaten.
JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial
(Registered As The Finesse Juvenile Hurdle) (Grade 2)
£30,000 added, 4yo only, 2m 1f, Class 1
6 ran
Going: Soft
| Dist | Horse | Jockey /Weight | Trainer | Age | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Peace And Co (FR) 4/9f | B J Geraghty 11-7 |
N J Henderson | 4 | |
| 2nd | 3 | Karezak (IRE) 8/1 | W Hutchinson 11-4 |
A King | 4 |
| 3rd | 9 | Zarib (IRE) 28/1 | Harry Skelton 11-4 |
D Skelton | 4 |
| 4th | ½ | Storm Force Ten 50/1 | Mr S Waley-Cohen 11-0 |
A M Balding | 4 |
| 5th | 2 | Bivouac (FR) 15/2 | N D Fehily 11-7 |
N J Henderson | 4 |
| 6th | 15 | Ibis Du Rheu (FR) 15/2 | S Twiston-Davies 11-7 |
P F Nicholls | 4 |
