Festival clues for the Triumph, Champion Chase and County Hurdle - three things we learned this week

Three key takeaways from this week . . .

East India Dock could be decent value at 10-1 for Triumph

It's early days in the ante-post market for the Triumph Hurdle – we haven’t even seen the favourite Willy De Houelle run in Britain or Ireland yet – but East India Dock produced arguably the most taking performance of Cheltenham’s November meeting.

A smart performer on the Flat for James Fanshawe, he showed immediate ability on his debut over hurdles for James Owen at Wincanton last month. However, his annihilation of his rivals at Cheltenham – 18 lengths underplayed his superiority, given he was eased down – sets a good marker for the division.

East India Dock was electric at Cheltenham on SaturdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

It's quite easy to retort that there will be plenty of juvenile hurdlers to come out of the woodwork yet, particularly from the superpowers in Ireland, and that it might not be worth getting carried away over East India Dock’s performance, but the clock suggests there is some substance to the form and quotes of 10-1 are tempting.

Owen’s words after the race were also intriguing, with the in-form trainer hinting he might have a horse in Lavender Hill Mob who could be even better for the division. Regardless, the Triumph is very much the target for East India Dock and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s close to the standard required.
Matt Butler

Jonbon lays down Champion Chase marker

You could argue that we didn't learn an awful lot from Jonbon's second straight Shloer Chase success, but one aspect which will give huge confidence to his backers for the Champion Chase was the assuredness of his jumping.

This was by far the best and most consistent round of jumping he has produced and at one stage it looked as if he could easily put 20 lengths between himself and the rest. As it was, Boothill and Edwardstone kept him honest without looking like they would pass the now seven-time Grade 1 winner.

Jonbon was foot perfect in winning the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham on FridayCredit: Alan Crowhurst

The Fortria Chase at Navan on Saturday proved a disappointing follow-up and although Found A Fifty got the job done as Captain Guinness and Banbridge disappointed, he does not look to have anywhere near the class of Jonbon. 

Jonbon's only defeat last season came when a shuddering error in the rescheduled Clarence House Chase cost him all chance, and that effort helped fuel the theories that Cheltenham does not bring out the best in him.

It will be fascinating to see if Energumene retains his class when he makes his long-awaited return in the coming weeks, and El Fabiolo and Gaelic Warrior could yet head down the two-mile route as well, but if Jonbon continues to jump as he did on Friday, he will be the two-miler to beat.
Sam Hendry

Skelton has a County Hurdle candidate

Valgrand's odds-on defeat in the 2m5f novice hurdle at Cheltenham on Friday may have been disappointing for favourite backers but he is one to keep in mind for a big handicap at the track's main meeting in March.

Captain Teague, a subsequent Challow winner, was beaten in this race last year and it may well transpire there was no shame in finishing 11 lengths behind the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Potters Charm, who looked impressive when bounding clear and is no bigger than 20-1 for the Turners Novices' Hurdle in March.

Valgrand (far side) was beaten by the impressive Potters Charm on FridayCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

A drop back in trip appears likely for Valgrand, with the Highclere-owned five-year-old requiring one more run over hurdles to satisfy new qualification requirements to run as a novice in the County Hurdle at the festival in March, with two early maiden and novice hurdle wins in May aiding his cause.

Valgrand is a 16-1 shot for the County Hurdle with William Hill and will be of significant interest to punters if going down this route, particularly given his trainer Dan Skelton has landed the race four times since 2016. The race has been won by a novice in four of the last five years.
Jack Haynes

Read these next:

'His jumping was as good as I’ve seen from him' - job done for Jonbon as he returns with second Shloer Chase success 

East India Dock cut to 10-1 for Triumph Hurdle but delighted James Owen could have an even better one for festival prize 

'This is what you dream of' - 18-year-old Freddie Gingell stars at Cheltenham again on Il Ridoto in Paddy Power Gold Cup 

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