JCB Triumph Hurdle report: Defi Du Seuil seals win

1.30 Cheltenham - JCB Triumph Hurdle result

1st Defi Du Seuil 5/2 favourite

2nd Mega Fortune 7/1

3rd Bapaume 10/1

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Race Report

Defi Du Seuil provided trainer Philip Hobbs with his first winner of the 2017 Cheltenham Festival with an impressive display.

Held-up in rear in the early stages by Richard Johnson, he began to make his move around three quarters of a mile from home and moved strongly into contention running down the hill.

A number of the key protagonists had been held-up in the rear and Charli Parcs, who was a fraction keen early, Ex Patriot and Landofhopeandglory all moved into promising positions as the field bunched up a little approaching the last.

The pace-setting Mega Fortune was still boxing away and Bapaume and Master Blueyes - who returned to the stables quite badly lame - both responded to pressure to move into contention. 

Whereas the challengers' runs petered out, Defi Du Seuil took the last in his stride and quickened clear up the hill to record a commanding success.

It was the third time that Hobbs and Johnson had combined to win the juvenile Grade One following victories for Detoit City and Made In Japan.

Sky Bet introduced the winner at 8/1 for the 2018 Champion Hurdle.

Reaction

Richard Johnson: "I was a passenger all the way to be honest, he travelled and jumped.

"At Christmas he shocked me how much speed he had and on the better ground some people thought that was a negative.

"He's just improved all year and I can't believe he's the same horse I rode at Ffos Las four or five months ago. All credit to Philip, he's handled him brilliantly all year. He travelled so well and I was just trying not to get there too soon.

"I spoke to Barry (Geraghty), who would have ridden him, and it must be very hard for him watching, but he told me exactly how to ride him.

"It's hard for juveniles to make the jump to the Champion Hurdle, but he's not a typical juvenile as he's not an ex-Flat horse."

Philip Hobbs: "That's fantastic, he couldn't have won any better. It's a big relief as he's been favourite all year - it's great when it goes right. He travelled so well, we were so lucky to get him. He could go Champion Hurdle or Arkle next year, we'll have to see.

"He always jumps well. There was one or two little hiccups at Chepstow when he won. Because he had never run on good ground there was a bit of a concern, but there was no reason why he shouldn't have handled it.

"He has run six times and has won them all very easily, so I don't know whether that was a career best. We've not schooled him over fences, but he will be mustard over them.

"We shouldn't get too bullish, too early. He has a fantastic attitude is very sound and has got fantastic ability.

"He is tough as old boots. The difference with Rooster Booster (Hobbs' Champion Hurdle winner) is that he never really jumped fences. This horse has always jumped well and there is no reason he won't jump fences at all.

"When you have a horse that keeps on winning, when they are beat the bubble is burst and because he is unbeaten for us we don't know how good he might be.

"We've taken another big step up today."

Davy Russell: "It was a great run by Mega Fortune. We were beaten by the best horse in the race but he's ran a really well. He was excellent with his jumping, he jumped well from hurdle to hurdle."

 Rich Ricci, owner of the third-placed Bapaume, commented: "He ran a stormer. That was the Irish form really I think as those are the best two Irish novices I'd say. 

"He did peck at the last so we might have finished second but we weren't going to catch the winner so yeah I'm delighted with that - it's good! Hopefully, it will be onwards and upwards but they went some gallop!

"He jumped brilliantly throughout except for the last but hopefully he will get bigger and stronger so he's a nice type. We're delighted with that."

Rachel Blackmore, rider of fourth-placed Ex Patriot, said: "It was a really good run. It was fantastic to be a part of and everyone's happy. It didn't really go the way I wanted but he finished well.

"He only cantered himself away at the start so I don't think that made too much of a difference to his run today. It was brilliant to ride in the race - it was a great experience."

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