JCB Triumph Hurdle |
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| Grade 1, Cheltenham 13:20 £150,000 guaranteed, 4yo only, 2m 179yds, Class 1  |
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1 Poniros 100/1
2 Lulamba
11/4
3
East India Dock 5/4 F
4
Lady Vega Allen 14/1
17 ran NR: Marche d'Aligre
Distances: nk, ¾l, 1¾l Time: 4m 2.10s (slow by 5.10s)
Poniros flew up the hill!
— BETDAQ (@BETDAQ) March 14, 2025
pic.twitter.com/w5Nv35A0DO
Poniros became the longest-priced winner ever of the juvenile novice hurdle, when successful here. The Golden Horn gelding becomes the joint-longest priced horse to score at The Festival in the modern era alongside fellow 100-1 chances Nortons Coin (1990 Cheltenham Gold Cup) and Hipparchus (1954 Grand Annual Handicap Chase).
Making his first public start over hurdles, Poniros got up to defeat Lulamba by a neck with another three-quarters of a length back to 5-4 Favourite East India Dock in third.
Willie Mullins said: “He’s by Golden Horn, who I think is going to make a very good sire over jumps.
“He’s the sort of horse you’re looking for. I didn’t expect that. Did Tony Bloom back him? If he did, it wasn’t on my advice! We were hoping he would run well and be a nice horse for next year, so he’s ahead of schedule.
“We bought him in October, schooled him and gave him a break. We said we’d better drag him in from the field and get him ready for Cheltenham, and that’s what we did. But I didn’t expect any more than a nice run. We had a lot of horses in the race and they all came here with the same plan. I couldn’t believe it when I saw him flying through the middle of them. I just couldn’t believe it.
“You must remember that he came from the Flat, so he had race experience - that’s a huge advantage. We’ve done plenty of jumping at home with him. I didn’t think he was sharp enough for this! I wasn’t really watching him. It was Lady Vega Allen I really fancied, and I thought, ‘right, she’s gone’, and I could see the blue colours of Tony Bloom, and I thought, ‘well, he hasn’t got a runner for anyone else in the race!’
“I imagine he’ll go to Punchestown, and then we’ll find something at Royal Ascot, perhaps. He was bought as a dual-purpose horse, and I am hoping in time he might turn into a Melbourne Cup horse - that would be the long-term plan.”
Jonjo O’Neill Jr said: “It’s crazy. It’s a funny old game. I was supposed to be in Doncaster today. After declarations, Alain Cawley, my agent, said that Willie was looking for a jockey. He actually said I should stay in Doncaster, but I said that the way this week is going, I’d much rather be riding one of Willie’s. Anything of Willie’s has a chance. It’s unbelievable. That’s his first ever appearance over hurdles in public. What a place!
“He was actually very good. I spoke to everyone and they said that he’d been very straightforward, but obviously first time out in the Triumph is not so easy. But he was very good. He was a proper juvenile, to be honest. He was into the boards and had a little bit of scope. I felt coming down the hill I was going to definitely nick a little bit, I just felt coming towards the last that they weren’t getting away from me. Stamina just kicked in.
“I couldn’t have imagined having two winners this week, no. I was really hoping for one, and when we lost Springwell Bay, I thought it isn’t going to be my week. Luckily Jagwah did it, and we were really just here for a good time today. It’s turned into an even better time.
“The fact that he hadn’t run over hurdles didn’t bother me - Willie wouldn’t have had him in the Triumph if he couldn’t jump. He’d been well schooled, and I spoke to Rachael and Danny and Paul, and Patrick and Brian Hayes, and they all said he’d be absolutely fine, he’d had an engine and just might lack experience. It’s some training performance.”
Nicky Henderson, trainer of runner-up Lulamba, said: “As Nico said the winner has come so late that he couldn’t see him and therefore couldn’t respond to him.
“We are only a baby, and that is only the third run of his life. He will have learnt an awful lot today. He was just a little untidy on the way around.
“Off that pace, when you don’t know a lot, it was tough for him, but he has got there. He has won the battle, but lost the war.
“He has had the fight that everyone expected and he fought his way back out of that. He is going to be lovely and you can see by the size of him he is not for this season.
“He has got a great temperament and a great attitude. He will have learnt more today than in all of his life I would say.
“He is not built like your typical Triumph Hurdle horse. East India Dock and the winner were good flat horses. This one wouldn’t win a flat race with a day’s head start!
“It is certainly not out of the question to switch him to fences next season. Rather like we did with Sir Gino this season it was let’s see where Constitution Hill is and how everybody is going. He is going to be very special.”
James Owen, trainer of the third East India Dock, said: “He ran a cracker and he has done nothing wrong. I thought he had won jumping the last.
"He just got out run up the straight by Lulamba, who is going to be a very good horse, and the winner, who is an unknown, but is one that has a huge amount of ability to do that on his debut. I’m proud of our horse.
“He jumped well enough, and although he made one little mistake, he was quick over them. It is not easy to win here as we are finding out, but we will keep coming.
“I think we will mix and match between the jumps and the flat as he has an attractive handicap mark.”
JCB Triumph Hurdle (Juvenile Grade 1)
£150,000 guaranteed, 4yo only, 2m 179yds, Class 1
17 ran
Going: Good to Soft
POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 Poniros 4 11-2 W P Mullins Jonjo O'Neill Jr 100/1
2 nk Lulamba 4 11-2 Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville 11/4
3 ¾ East India Dock 4 11-2 James Owen Sam Twiston-Davies 5/4F
4 1¾ Lady Vega Allen 4 10-9 W P Mullins Paul Townend 14/1
5 1¼ Place De La Nation 4 10-9 W P Mullins Danny Gilligan 100/1
6 1½ Hello Neighbour 4 11-2 Gavin Cromwell Keith Donoghue 7/2
7 9 Too Bossy For Us 4 11-2 W P Mullins Harry Cobden 50/1
8 ½ Sainte Lucie 4 10-9 W P Mullins Danny Mullins 50/1
9 15 Mondo Man 4 11-2 Gary & Josh Moore Brian Hughes 33/1
10 7 Lumiere Du Large 4 10-9 W P Mullins Kevin Sexton 200/1
11 1¼ Willy De Houelle 4 11-2 W P Mullins Brian Hayes 40/1
12 14 Charlus 4 11-2 W P Mullins Sean O'Keefe 66/1
13 3¾ Larzac 4 11-2 W P Mullins Mark Walsh 33/1
PU
Gibbs Island 4 11-2 Tom Lacey Stan Sheppard 28/1
PU Blue Lemons 4 11-2 W P Mullins Rachael Blackmore 12/1
PU Opec 4 10-9 James Owen Sean Bowen 150/1
PU Pappano 4 11-2 W P Mullins Sean Flanagan 150/1
NR 8 Marche d'Aligre 4 11-2 Jamie Snowden NON RUNNER
Previous results - JCB TRIUMPH HURDLE
Year Winner Age/Wt Jockey Trainer Owner SP Ran
2024 Majborough 4 11-02 Mark Walsh W P Mullins John P McManus 6/1 12
2023 Lossiemouth 4 10-09 Paul Townend W P Mullins Mrs S Ricci 11/8F 15
2022 Vauban 4 11-00 Paul Townend W P Mullins Mrs S Ricci 6/4F 12
2021 Quilixios 4 11-00 Rachael Blackmore Henry De Bromhead Cheveley Park Stud 2/1 8
2020 Burning Victory 4 10-07 Paul Townend W P Mullins Mrs Audrey Turley 12/1 13
2019 Pentland Hills 4-11-00 Nico de Boinville Nicky Henderson Owners Group 031 20/1 14
2018-WINNER-FARCLAS 4-11-00 Owner-Gigginstown House Stud; Trainer-Gordon Elliott IRE; Jockey-Jack Kennedy; SP-9/1
2ND-Mr Adjudicator 4-11-00 Owner-David Bobbett; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Paul Townend; SP-8/1
3RD-Sayo 4-11-00 Owner-Palmerstown Racing Partnership; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Danny Mullins; SP-33/1
9 ran, Time-4m 17,00s; Dist-1¾, 3½ 6/5 Fav Apple’s Shakira (4th)
2017-WINNER-DEFI DU SEUIL 4-11-00 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Philip Hobbs; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-5/2 Fav
2ND-Mega Fortune 4-11-00 Owner-Chris Jones; Trainer-Gordon Elliott IRE; Jockey-Davy Russell; SP-7/1
3RD-Bapaume 4-11-00 Owner-Susannah Ricci; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-10/1
15 ran, Time-4m 0.20s; Dist-5, sh
2016-WINNER-IVANOVICH GORBATOV 4-11-00 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-9/2 Fav
2ND-Apple’s Jade 4-10-07 Owner-Gigginstown House Stud; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Bryan Cooper; SP-12/1
3RD-Footpad 4-11-00 Owner-Simon Munir & Isaac Souede; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-5/1
15 ran, Time-3m 55.10s; Dist-1¼, 6
2015-WINNER-PEACE AND CO 4-11-00 Owner-Simon Munir & Isaac Souede; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-2/1 Fav
2ND-Top Notch 4-11-00 Owner-Simon Munir & Isaac Souede; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Daryl Jacob; SP-7/1
3RD-Hargam 4-11-00 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-A P McCoy; SP-8/1
16 ran, Time-4m 4.40s; Dist-nk, 4
2014-TIGER ROLL 4-11-00 Owner-Gigginstown House Stud; Trainer-Gordon Elliott IRE; Jockey-Davy Russell; SP-10/1
2ND-Kentucky Hyden 4-11-00 Owner-Simon Munir & Isaac Souede; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-David Bass; SP-20/1
3RD-Guitar Pete 4-11-00 Owner-Mrs Pat Sloan; Trainer-Dessie Hughes IRE; Jockey-Paul Carberry; SP-7/1
15 ran, Time-4m 1.00s 11/2 Fav Calipto (4th)
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)
JCB TRIUMPH HURDLE ROLL OF HONOUR
Year Winner Age/Wt Jockey Trainer Owner SP Ran
1995 Kissair 4-11-00 Jonathon Lower Martin Pipe Terry Benson 16/1 26
1994 Mysilv 4-10-09 Adrian Maguire David Nicholson Million In Mind Partnership
(3) 2/1F 28
1993 Shawiya 4-10-09 Charlie Swan Michael O'Brien IRE Miss G Maher 12/1
25
1992 Duke Of Monmouth4-11-00 Mark Richards Simon Sherwood Ali Saeed 33/1
30
1991 Oh So Risky 4-11-00 Paul Holley David Elsworth Oh So Risky Syndicate
14/1 27
1990 Rare Holiday 4-11-00 Brendan Sheridan Dermot Weld IRE Dr Michael
Smurfit 25/1 30
1989 Ikdam 4-11-00 Nigel Coleman Richard Holder LBI Law (873) Ltd 66/1
27
1988 Kribensis 4-11-00 Richard Dunwoody Michael Stoute Sheikh Mohammed
6/1 26
1987 Alone Success 4-11-00 Steve Smith Eccles Nicky Henderson Sheikh
Amin Dahlawi 11/1 29
1986 Solar Cloud 4-11-00 Peter Scudamore David Nicholson Ann McEwen 40/1
28
1985 First Bout 4-11-00 Steve Smith Eccles Nicky Henderson Fahad Al Athel
5/1 27
1984 Northern Game 4-11-00 Tommy Ryan Edward O'Grady IRE Frank Conroy
20/1 30
1983 Saxon Farm 4-11-00 Mark Perrett Stan Mellor A Birchall 12/1 30
1982 Shiny Copper 4-11-00 Allen Webb Dina Smith Doug Tyler 66/1 29
1981 Baron Blakeney 4-11-00 Paul Leach Martin Pipe Wheatley Leisure Ltd
66/1 29
1980 Heighlin 4-11-00 Steve Jobar David Elsworth Woodside Engineers Ltd
40/1 26
1979 Pollardstown 4-11-00 Philip Blacker Stan Mellor Georgina Tulloch
12/1 28
1978 Connaught Ranger 4-11-00 John Burke Fred Rimell Jim McCaughey 25/1
14
1977 Meladon 4-11-00 Tommy Carberry Adrian Maxwell IRE Mrs N Flynn 6/1
30
1976 Peterhof 4-11-00 Jonjo O'Neill Mick Easterby H Gould 10/1 23
1975 Royal Epic 4-11-00 Fred McKenna Vernon Cross Robert Read 20/1 28
1974 Attivo 4-11-00 Robert Hughes Cyril Mitchell Peter O'Sullevan 4/5F
21
1973 Moonlight Bay 4-11-00 Johnnie Haine Ryan Price Meg Mullion 85/40F
18
1972 Zarib 4-11-00 Bill Smith Fred Rimell Mrs A Hornby 16/1 16
1971 Boxer 4-11-03 Jimmy Uttley Ron Smyth Lord Blakenham 100/30JF 18
1970 Varma 4-11-04 Brian Barker Mick Masson Charles Clore 100/7 31
1969 Coral Diver 4-11-04 Terry Biddlecombe Fred Rimell Bryan Jenks 3/1F
26
1968 England’s Glory 4-11-00 Jimmy Uttley Staff Ingham Mrs M Sherman
9/2 16
1967 Persian War 4-11-08 Jimmy Uttley Brian Swift Henry Alper 4/1 13
1966 Black Ice 4-11-04 Bobby Beasley Arthur Thomas A Crowther 9/2 11
1965 Blarney Beacon 4-11-04 Geordie Ramshaw Ron Smyth Freddie Laker 8/1
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