Fil Dor bids to cement Triumph hopes but Vauban 'the one to beat', says Elliott

Racing TV '12 Euros Per Month This Weekend Only' Spring Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) | 2m | 4yo | RTE2 & RTV

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Triumph Hurdle winners Quilixios, Farclas, Ivanovich Gorbatov, Tiger Roll and Our Conor have either run in or won the Spring Juvenile Hurdle in recent years, making this race one of the leading trials for Cheltenham.

The market will be fascinating. Gordon Elliott’s Fil Dor has long been considered one of the best juveniles around but he will be vying for favouritism with the Willie Mullins-trained Vauban.

Vauban has come in for Triumph Hurdle support after Pied Piper, stablemate of Fil Dor, bolted up at Cheltenham last weekend.

Pied Piper narrowly accounted for Vauban on their hurdling debuts at Punchestown and clearly improved a huge amount for the experience when winning eased down by nine lengths at Cheltenham.

Vauban may well have to show similar improvement if he is to get the better of Fil Dor. One thing we do know is that Vauban is held in good regard. He was backed as if he couldn’t be beaten on his Irish debut at Punchestown but, in Pied Piper, clearly bumped into a smart rival.

But the soundings from Cullentra House Stables throughout the season is that Fil Dor is Elliott’s leading juvenile and, if that is the case, he should have the measure of Vauban on a line through Pied Piper.

People were quick to rush to the conclusion that Pied Piper was Elliott's number one Triumph hope after his demolition job at Cheltenham rather than acknowledge the weakness of the opposition in behind.

He was wildly impressive but the fact of the matter is that Fil Dor has achieved more and, if Vauban couldn't get the better of Pied Piper at Punchestown, it's hard to see him beating Fil Dor.

It appears to be a match between the pair but Elliott and Mullins have capable backups. Elliott's The Tide Turns might be more suited to the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham but is running out of time to be qualified for the race, and the same could be said for Mullins' Icare Allen.

Elliott: ‘This is a big test for Fil Dor and Vauban is the one to beat’

Fil Dor has won all three starts over hurdles, the latest success coming in a Grade 2 over this course and distance, but Gordon Elliott is not underestimating the task against market rival Vauban.

He said: “Fil Dor has done nothing wrong so far. He doesn't do anything fancy and even during his races he gives the impression that he just does what he has to do.

"I told Davy [Russell] that I was worried watching him last time at Leopardstown but he told me that, when he gave him a slap down the neck, he picked up well and there was plenty left in the tank, which was interesting. He's in good form and he's well. This is his biggest task so far and Vauban looks the one to beat.”

Elliott is also represented by The Tide Turns, and added: “The Tide Turns is also a good horse and is in good form. His form wouldn't be anything near Fil Dor's but he jumps well and travels, so he's not out of it.”

What they say

Paul Townend, rider of Vauban
Vauban is exciting. We were very disappointed when he was beaten on his first run at Punchestown. That form has worked out with Pied Piper at Cheltenham, so Gordon [Elliott] has a good line with him. Our lad will improve from his first run. His jumping was a bit sticky then but he has schooled well since. We do lack experience stepping into a Grade 1 field, so it’ll be tough. Whatever he does this weekend, I think he'll improve again for it. Icare Allen is probably the forgotten horse of the race. He was impressive winning at Christmas."

Read all of Saturday's previews:

3.15 Leopardstown: Irish Gold Cup: key quotes and analysis as Frodon, Kemboy and Minella Indo clash

Asterion Forlonge: is he a maverick or simply misunderstood

1.05 Leopardstown: Hollow Games has most to fear from fast-improving stablemate Minella Crooner

2.10 Leopardstown: Blue Lord bids to fill void left by Ferny Hollow for Mullins in Irish Arkle

2.20 Sandown: L'Homme Presse and Pic D'Orhy set for Sandown showdown in Scilly Isles

2.30 Wetherby: Lucinda Russell looks for 'confidence booster' to put Ahoy Senor back on track

3.30 Sandown: Could course specialists prove the key to a race with a rich history

3.45 Musselburgh: Questions over ground and jumping - who can come up with the winning answer?