JCB Triumph Hurdle |
|
| Grade 1 £120,000 added, 4yo only, 2m 1f, Class 1 |
|
| Friday 14th March 2014 | |
1 Tiger Roll 10/1
2 Kentucky Hyden 20/1
3 Guitar Pete
7/1
NR: Ballyglasheen (IRE)
15 ran Distances: 3¼l, 1¾l, 3¾l
TIME 4m 1.00s (slow by 6.50s)
Tiger Roll gave Gigginstown House Stud their first winner of this year's Festival when running out the comfortable three and a quarter length winner of the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham this afternoon.
 |
The 10/1 shot was always travelling sweetly under Davy Russell and pounced at the last hurdle to take the lead and always had runner-up Kentucky Hyden at bay as the pair battled up the hill.
Michael O'Leary, whose Gigginstown House Stud owns the horse, afforded a smile after the race and explained that a winner at the Cheltenham Festival was what the game was all about.
"It's wonderful and I am delighted for Gordon Elliott, who is a brilliant trainer," said O'Leary.
"It has been a tough week but it is lovely to get one on the board, even if we have to wait until the fourth day.
"This meeting is a big deal for everybody in Ireland. This is Cheltenham, this is the home of jump racing and every horse we buy, every horse we run in Ireland all winter long - everybody wants to come to Cheltenham.
"We didn't buy him as a juvenile hurdler as we don't tend to buy hurdlers as a rule but he seems to have come to hand quite early so it made sense to head here. We have a winner now which means I can relax a little bit."
Jockey Davy Russell, the former retained rider for Gigginstown House Stud who got the ride following an injury on Tuesday to his successor Bryan Cooper, gave the impression that it was all plain sailing for Tiger Roll throughout the race.
"It's great," said the winning jockey.
"I spoke to Gordon Elliott last night and he told me he was coming on nicely and should run well. We don't normally do this but we gave him a pop over a couple this morning just to keep his mind right and it looked like it worked.
"We managed to steer clear of trouble throughout the race and had a nice clear passage throughout the race. He's jumped well, travelled well and done it nicely. He's done nothing wrong so far and has clearly improved since Leopardstown. The ground is probably on the slow side of good for my fellow but he is Flat bred so it could be riding a bit quicker than that for the jumps bred horses.
"I had a couple of OK rides coming into this week and, obviously, I picked up this due to Bryan's injury. It's great and Gordon has done a marvellous job with this horse - it's only the third start of his career and he never ran on the Flat. Gordon had him on the button.
"Life will through plenty of things at you and there has been a lot worse thrown at other people. What happened to me (with Gigginstown) - that's just life."
"It's great to get a winner at Cheltenham as this is exactly where you want to be riding them."
JCB Triumph Hurdle (Juvenile Grade 1)
£120,000 added, 4yo only, 2m 1f, Class 1
15 ran
Going: Good, Good to Soft in Places
| Horse Trainer |
Jockey Weight |
SP Distance |
|
| 1 |
Tiger Roll G Elliott |
D N Russell 11st 0lbs |
10 - 1 Winner |
| 2 |
Kentucky Hyden N J Henderson |
D Bass 11st 0lbs |
20 - 1 3 1/4 lengths |
| 3 |
Guitar Pete D T Hughes |
P Carberry 11st 0lbs |
7 - 1 1 3/4 length |
| 4 |
Calipto P F Nicholls |
D A Jacob 11st 0lbs |
11 - 2 3 3/4 lengths |
| 5 |
Rutherglen J J Quinn |
N Fehily 11st 0lbs |
10 - 1 3 3/4 lengths |
| 6 |
Royal Irish Hussar N J Henderson |
B J Geraghty 11st 0lbs |
6 - 1 4 lengths |
| 7 |
Pearl Castle J J Quinn |
B Hughes 11st 0lbs |
12 - 1 4 lengths |
| 8 |
Broughton J P Ferguson |
D F O'Regan 11st 0lbs |
13 - 2 4 1/2 lengths |
| 9 |
Lindenhurst J C McConnell |
M J Bolger 11st 0lbs |
16 - 1 2 lengths |
| 10 |
Amoruccio P R Webber |
James Best 11st 0lbs |
150 - 1 30 lengths |
| 11 |
Achtung L Comer |
P Buchanan 11st 0lbs |
250 - 1 19 lengths |
| 12 |
Plinth A P O'Brien |
A P McCoy 11st 0lbs |
12 - 1 4 lengths |
| Fell |
Abbyssial W P Mullins |
R Walsh 11st 0lbs |
8 - 1 |
| R |
Cherry Tiger G McPherson |
W P Kavanagh 11st 0lbs |
250 - 1 |
| BD |
Adriana Des Mottes W P Mullins |
P Townend 10st 7lbs |
20 - 1 |
| NR |
Ballyglasheen Evan Williams |
Adam Wedge 11st 0lbs |
- |
TIGER TRIUMPHS IN OPENER
Trainer Gordon Elliott and owners Gigginstown House Stud got on the scoresheet for this year's Festival when Tiger Roll ran out an impressive winner of the JCB Triumph Hurdle.
"It was a dream come true - we have been hitting the cross bar all week. I feel sorry for Bryan Cooper but I am delighted for Davy (Russell) because he is always very lucky when he rides for me. I am very lucky I am training for amazing owners," said Elliott.
"I only got this horse by accident at the Brightwells sale here in November - there was another horse at the sales I wanted the day he was bought and there was a big row on the night. They told me I could have two other horses instead. These owners are brilliant. Michael, Eddie, and the whole outfit are very good to me.
"I was a bit nervous early because he was a bit keen. After Causes Of Causes making a mistake at the last yesterday, I was worried that he might make a mistake again but he won, so I am delighted. I thought Cause Of Causes and Bayan were by best chances so I was disappointed that neither of those won.
"He'll probably go to Punchestown now. I will have a chat with Michael and Eddie (O'Leary) and see."
"This was only the horse's third start over hurdles and I think there is still a bit more improvement in him."
KENTUCKY HEADS TO AINTREE - OR POSSIBLY PUNCHESTOWN
 |
Consistent Kentucky Hyden missed out today, maintaining a run of seconditis.
By finishing runner-up in today's four-year-old championship he completed an unwanted four-timer, but as one of the best of his generation is fully entitled to be regarded as a key player if turning out again this spring. Today he finished three and a quarter lengths behind winner Tiger Roll, but one and three-quarter lengths ahead of third-placed Guitar Pete.
Trainer Nicky Henderson said of Kentucky Hyden: "We have to be very pleased with that run. I should think he will go to Aintree next, but Punchestown is also a possibility. The only problem with that is we are likely to face the winner [Tiger Roll] again."
The race's 11/2 favourite was Calipto, but trainer Paul Nicholls and jockey Daryl Jacob have been short of luck this week, and were blighted this time by a broken stirrup leather. Jacob had no option but to kick his other foot free and ride without stirrups, driving his horse home to finish a game fourth.
Nicholls said: "The leather snapped - it was as simple as that. I saw it happen at the second-last hurdle. Despite that he stayed on up the hill and will be a super horse for next year."
Previous results - JCB TRIUMPH HURDLE
2013-OUR CONOR 4-11-00 Owner-Man About Town Syndicate; Trainer-Dessie Hughes IRE; Jockey-Bryan Cooper; SP-4/1
2ND-Far West 4-11-00 Owner-Axom XXXIX; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-4/1
3RD-Sametegal 4-11-00 Owner-John & Barbara Cotton; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Ryan Mahon; SP-33/1
17 ran, Time-4m 11.10s; Dist-15, 2¼ 5/2 Fav Rolling Star (6th)
2012-COUNTRYWIDE FLAME 4-11-00 Owner-Estio Pinnacle Racing; Trainer-John Quinn; Jockey-Dougie Costello; SP 33/1
2ND-Hisaabaat 4-11-00 Owner-Dr Ronan Lambe/Dominick Glennane; Trainer-Dermot Weld IRE; Jockey-Andrew Lynch; SP-20/1
3RD-Grumeti 4-11-00 Owner-McNeill Family; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Robert Thornton; SP-5/1 Fav
20 ran, Time 3m 58.80s; Dist-3, ¾
2011-WINNER-ZARKANDAR 4-11-00 Owner-Potensis Limited & Chris Giles; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Daryl Jacob; SP 13/2
2ND-Unaccompanied 4-10-07 Owner-Moyglare Stud Farm; Trainer-Dermot Weld IRE; Jockey-Paul Townend; SP-11/2 3RD-Grandouet 4-11-00 Owner-Simon Munir; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-13/2
23 ran, Time 3m 54.20s; Dist-21⁄4, 23⁄4 4/1 Fav Sam Winner (4th)
2010-WINNER-SOLDATINO 4-11-00 Owner-Simon Munir; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-6/1 2ND-Barizan 4-11-00 Owner-Peter Conway; Trainer-Evan Williams; Jockey-Tom O’Brien; SP-14/1 3RD-Alaivan 4-11-00 Owner-Thomas Barr; Trainer-Edward O’Grady IRE; Jockey-Andrew McNamara SP-9/2
17 ran, Time-4m 4.90s; Dist-1¼, 7 7/2 Fav Carlito Brigante (4th)
2009-WINNER-ZAYNAR 4-11-00 Owner-Men In Our Position; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-11/2
2ND-Walkon 4-11-00 Owner-McNeill Racing; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Robert Thornton; SP-4/1 Fav
3RD-Mourad 4-11-00 Owner-Teahon Consulting Limited; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-14/1
18 ran, Time-4m 3.90s; Dist-¾, 2¾
2008-WINNER-CELESTIAL HALO 4-11-00 Owner-The Stewart Family; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-5/1
2ND-Franchoek 4-11-00 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-Evens Fav
3RD-Won In The Dark 4-11-00 Owner- Gerard Crehan; Trainer-Sabrina Harty IRE; Jockey-Andrew McNamara; SP-16/1
14 ran, Time-4m 7.83s; Dist-2¼, 2¼
2007-WINNER-KATCHIT 4-11-00 Owner- DSJP Syndicate; Trainer-Alan King;
Jockey-Robert Thornton; SP-11/2
2ND-Liberate 4-11-00 Owner-Diana Whateley; Trainer-Philip Hobbs; Jockey-Richard
Johnson; SP-12/1
3RD-Mobaasher 4-11-00 Owner-Seasons Holidays; Trainer-Charlie Mann; Jockey-Noel
Fehily; SP-33/1
23 ran, Time-3m 54.6s; Dist-9, 1 ¾ 7/2 Fav Lounaos (10th)
2006-WINNER-DETROIT
CITY 4-11-00 Owner-Terry Warner; Trainer-Philip
Hobbs; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-7/2 Fav
2ND-Fair Along 4-11-00 Owner-Alan Peterson; Trainer-Philip Hobbs; Jockey-Paddy
Brennan; SP-25/1
3RD-Blazing Bailey 4-11-00 Owner-Three Line Whip; Trainer-Alan King;
Jockey-Robert Thornton; SP-14/1
17 ran, Time-3m 51.20s; Dist-5, 1
2005-WINNER-PENZANCE 4-11-00 Owner-Elite Racing Club; Trainer-Alan King;
Jockey-Robert Thornton; SP-9/1
2ND-Faasel 4-11-00 Owner-Jim Ennis; Trainer-Nicky Richards; Jockey-Tony
Dobbin; SP-7/1
3RD-Akilak 4-11-00 Owner-Andrea & Graham Wylie; Trainer-Howard Johnson;
Jockey-Graham Lee; SP-7/2 Fav
23 ran, Time-4m 3.60s; Dist-hd, 8
2004-WINNER-MADE IN JAPAN 4-11-00 Owner-Terry Evans; Trainer-Philip
Hobbs; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-20/1
2ND-Chief Yeoman 4-11-00 Owner-B Moore & E C Stephens; Trainer-Venetia
Williams; Jockey-Tony Dobbin; SP- 40/1
3RD-Top Strategy 4-11-00 Owner-W J Kane; Trainer-Ted Walsh IRE; Jockey-Ruby
Walsh; SP-33/1
23 ran, Time-4m 5.30s; Dist-2, nk 5/1 Fav Trouble At Bay (10th)
2003-WINNER-SPECTROSCOPE 4-11-00 Owner-Gay Smith;
Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill;
Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-20/1
2ND-Well Chief 4-11-00 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Tony
McCoy; SP-7/1
3RD-Golden Cross 4-11-00 Owner-Mrs H Johnson; Trainer-Mick Halford IRE;
Jockey-Charlie Swan; SP-11/2 Fav
27 ran, Time-4m 0.30s; Dist-hd, 5
2002-WINNER-SCOLARDY 4-11-00 Owner-David Flynn; Trainer-Willie Mullins
IRE; Jockey-Charlie Swan; SP-16/1
2ND-Newhall 4-10-09 Owner-Helen McParland; Trainer-Francis Flood IRE;
Jockey-Fran Flood; SP-8/1
3RD-Diamond Joshua 4-11-00 Owner-Diamond Racing Ltd; Trainer-John Berry;
Jockey-Jim Culloty; SP- 66/1
28 ran, Time-4m 7.80s; Dist-11, 3/4 7/1 Fav Giocomo (PU)
2001 Cancelled (Foot and Mouth Disease)
2000-WINNER-SNOW DROP 4-10-09 Owner-John D Martin; Trainer-Francois
Doumen FR; Jockey-Thierry Doumen; SP-7/1 Fav
2ND-Regal Exit 4-11-00 Owner-Brian Buckley; Trainer-Nicky Henderson;
Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-20/1
3RD-General Cloney 4-11-00 Owner-John J Brennan; Trainer-Willie Mullins
IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-20/1
28 ran, Time-3m 52.90s, Dist-2, nk
1999-WINNER-KATARINO 4-11-00 Owner-Robert Waley-Cohen; Trainer-Nicky
Henderson; Jockey-Mick Fitzgerald; SP-11/4 Fav
2ND-Balla Sola 4-11-00 Owner-Top Cat Syndicate; Trainer-Willie Mullins
IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-16/1
3RD-Afarad 4-11-00 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Christy Roche IRE; Jockey-Charlie
Swan; SP-8/1
23 ran, Time-4m 2.4s, Dist-8, 1.5
1998-WINNER-UPGRADE 4-11-00 Owner-Matt Archer and Jean Broadhurst; Trainer-Nigel
Twiston-Davies; Jockey-Carl Llewellyn; SP-14/1
2ND-City Hall 4-11-00 Owner-Rosemary Key & Val Ward; Trainer-Val
Ward; Jockey-Robert Thornton; SP-12/1
3RD-Nomadic 4-11-00 Owner-Des Sharkey; Trainer-Noel Meade IRE; Jockey-Richard
Dunwoody; SP-14/1
25 ran, Time-3m 57.1s, Dist-1.25, 1.75 10/3 Fav Zafarabad (4th)
1997-WINNER-COMMANCHE COURT 4-11-00 Owner-Dermot Desmond; Trainer-Ted
Walsh IRE; Jockey-Norman Williamson; SP-9/1
2ND-Circus Star 4-11-00 Owner-The Ringmasters; Trainer-David Nicholson;
Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-40/1
3RD-Shooting Light 4-11-00 Owner-John Brown; Trainer-Pat Murphy; Jockey-Richard
Dunwoody; SP-7/1
28 ran, Time-4m 0.2s, Dist-1, 1.25 9/2 Fav White Sea (9th)
1996-WINNER-PADDY’S RETURN 4-11-00 Owner-Paddy O’Donnell;
Trainer-Ferdy Murphy; Jockey-Richard Dunwoody; SP-10/1
2ND-Mistinguett 4-10-09 Owner-John Duggan; Trainer-Nigel Twiston-Davies;
Jockey-Carl Llewellyn; SP-14/1
3RD-Hatta Breeze 4-10-09 Owner-Jenny Mould; Trainer-David Nicholson;
Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-14/1
29 ran, Time-4m 1.4s, Dist originally 4, hd, 1.75
Magical Lady (2nd) disqualified 6/1 Fav Debutante Days (f)
