2022 Triumph Hurdle Ante-Post Preview – Stand And Salute The Knight At 25/1
Knight Salute looks to hold obvious claims in the 2022 Triumph Hurdle.
2022 Triumph Hurdle Ante-Post Preview
Our expert has delved through the current state of play in the Triumph Hurdle betting market, identifying a selection available at odds of 25/1 with Betfred Check out their thoughts below, and why not also check out our Gold Cup ante-post article
Triumph Hurdle (Friday 18th March 2022)
The Grade 1 Triumph Hurdle has been won by some smart juveniles in the past, including subsequent dual Grand National Winner Tiger Roll in 2014 and Defi Du Seuil in 2017 who has since gone on to land a further five Grade 1’s for trainer Philip Hobbs.
The last two renewals have gone the way of the Irish with Burning Victory capitalising on the last flight unseat by Goshen in 2020 for trainer Willie Mullins and Qulixios who dominated proceedings in last year’s contest for trainer Henry De Bromhead in the colours of Cheveley Park Stud.
Trainer Gordon Elliot has had joy in the past in this Grade 1 and he looks to have another smart juvenile in the shape of Fil Dor who currently heads the betting for Friday’s opening contest.
The three-year-old has looked impressive in recording back to back hurdle victories at Down Royal and most recently in Grade 3 company at Fairyhouse where he held off a late challenge from Lunar Power for trainer Noel Meade.
Fil Dor certainly looks like a useful recruit and from what we have seen so far he holds a leading chance in taking the step up the ranks and claiming Grade 1 honours.
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Owner JP McManus has tasted success in this race in recent seasons in the famous green and gold silks with the likes of Ivanovich Gorbatov and Defi Du Seuil. It will be fascinating to see how Champion Green and Benaud handle the switch to hurdling as both were very useful on the flat, especially the latter who reached a mark of 103 in that sphere.
Trainer Dan Skelton certainly knows the right type of horse for this event as he sent out the free going Allmankind to finish third in 2020.
He will have high hopes for his charge In This Word looked like a smart prospect when romping to victory in a juvenile hurdle event at Warwick in November. The three-year-old jumped and travelled well in the hands of Harry Skelton and could be one to keep a close eye on.
Gary Moore will still have nightmares of Goshen’s unseat at the last flight when holding a 10l advantage in the 2020 renewal but he will hope Porticello can make up into another serious challenger for connections after taking a Listed hurdle on stable debut at Wetherby in October.
However, it’s hard not to have been impressed with the rapid progress of KNIGHT SALUTE in recent starts and Milton Harris’ runner has simply thrived since going over hurdles after joining the yard from trainer Andrew Balding.
The three-year-old remains unbeaten over hurdles and after winning at Sedgefield and Kempton, Knight Salute took a huge step up in class and took the Grade 2 JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial at Cheltenham in taking style by 2.75l.
The juvenile quickened away from the field in the closing stages that day and certainly looks like a horse that is improving currently at a rate of knots. Knight Salute has shown arguably the best form on offer so far and his recent win over course and distance in November makes him a danger to all if turning up.
He is currently best priced at generous odds of 25/1 and certainly wouldn’t be that price if he was represented by more well-known connections.