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12:40 Cheltenham

Saturday 18 November 2017

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3016:00

JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Prestbury Juvenile Hurdle)

Off time: 12:42 | Winning time: 4m 9.7s

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Selected odds by:

Apparition¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| D

25/1

Narrow winner of a Thurles maiden hurdle last month either side of third placings at Gowran Park and Down Royal. Represents Melbourne Cup-winning trainer, but this gelding looks to have his limitations and is up against it in a hot contest.

Form: 313

Eh Georges^t1⁵⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: Felix de Giles| T: E Clayeux| D

40/1

Won an 11-runner race at Vichy at the end of September. Hard to know the strength of that form, but it would be folly to dismiss him given the talent base in France. Wears a tongue tie for the first time.

Form: 51

Eragon De Chanay²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 121| D

28/1

French import who won a three-runner race at Ffos Las on his second start for current trainer. Obviously useful, but may fall short of the standard required to win a race of this nature.

Form: 1-31

Gumball³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 144| D

5/4

Odds-on favourite and impressive winner of both starts since joining current trainer who does so well with juvenile hurdlers. Already the 12-1 favourite for the Triumph Hurdle in March and is likely to prove hard to beat with experience on his side.

Form: 3-11

Speedo Boy¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams| OR: 120| D

14/1

Well behind Gumball on his hurdling debut at Chepstow, but showed the benefit of that experience when winning at Huntingdon. Likely to run well, but may find at least a couple of his rivals too strong.

Form: 31

Apple's Shakira¹⁸⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 10-5| J: B J Geraghty| T: N J Henderson| D

1/1

A sister to top-class Apple's Jade, she was a ready winner of her only hurdles start at Vichy in May. Subsequently bought by leading connections and has been spoken of in positive terms by her trainer. Big threat in receipt of the mare's allowance.

Form: 1

Forecasts

Apple's Shakira (1/1), Gumball (5/4), Speedo Boy (14/1), Apparition (25/1), Eragon De Chanay (28/1), Eh Georges (40/1)

Gumball has been most impressive on his two outings since joining his current trainer and sets the standard. However, he may have his work cut out to give 7lb to APPLE'S SHAKIRA, who won on her only start in France, is highly regarded by her trainer and is 20-1 for the Triumph Hurdle despite never having run in England. Eh Georges brings more French form into the race and is respected, but the others look to be up against it despite bringing fair credentials to the table.