Supreme an option for 'classy' new Triumph Hurdle favourite, says Gordon Elliott

Saturday: Cheltenham

Pied Piper laid down a serious marker for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham in March with a bloodless victory under a motionless Davy Russell.

Such was the impression of the winning performance, Paddy Power promoted Pied Piper ahead of stablemate Fil Dor at the top of the Triumph market, going 5-2 (from 9) about the winner and easing Fil Dor to 4-1 (from 3).

Formerly owned by the Queen and trained on the Flat by John and Thady Gosden, Pied Piper was the 11-8 favourite for the Grade 2 JCB Triumph Trial and was simply in another league to his seven rivals, travelling smoothly for Russell beforee winning by nine lengths from 50-1 shot Moka De Vassy.

Watch Pied Piper destroy his rivals in the Grade 2 Triumph Hurdle Trial

"He's a grand horse and we always thought he'd improve from Punchestown," said Russell. "He's a nice horse and there are loads of options. He's intelligent."

The Triumph may look the obvious target come March but trainer Gordon Elliott did not rule out the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle for Pied Piper, who, like Fil Dor, races in the colours of Caldwell Construction Ltd.

"He's a horse who does everything very easily at home," said Elliott. "He jumps very well and looks a nice horse. Davy gave him a very good ride and let him drop him.

Gordon Elliott: also has Fil Dor as a leading candidate for the TriumphCredit: Patrick McCann

"He looks a classy horse with a lot of speed and there are a lot of directions we can go. They could both rock up in the Triumph, but this lad also has the option of the Supreme Novices' as well and I wouldn't rule that out. He's a speedy horse.

"There's Aintree as well and a lot of races to go for. It's not the be all and end all to go for the Triumph, but it would be nice to win it all the same.

"At home and on all known form I'd say the other horse [Fil Dor] is a better horse, but this lad was impressive today."

'This is a bit better than Fontwell'

Max McNeill likes to aim high with his talented string of horses and it worked out gloriously for North Lodge, who took a Grade 2 prize at Cheltenham instead of heading to Fontwell.

Max McNeill (left): 'I'd love to go to the Ballymore'Credit: Edward Whitaker

The Ballymore Novices' Hurdle proved far more tempting than a £11,000 novice hurdle on the south coast on Sunday, and as the five-year-old kicked clear in the final stages McNeill was dreaming about an even more ambitious tilt.

"I'd love to go to the Ballymore but I'll have to have a chat with Alan King first," he said, as North Lodge was made a general 16-1 chance.

"He's a lovely horse. That was only his second run and he's exciting. We bought him from Sean Doyle's yard, who has produced some great horses – The Worlds End being the flagship – and we've loved him from day one. We own him with Niall Farrell and I'm very pleased for him.

"When he won at Aintree we wanted to go small. We'd been looking at Fontwell on Sunday before Iain [Turner, McNeill's racing manager] and Kingy said let's give him an entry here. We looked and looked at it and thought, 'go for it'. This is a bit better than Fontwell!"

100 not out

Fergal O’Brien hit the century mark for the season with Imperial Alcazar providing the breakthrough at the trainer’s local track in the 2m4½f novice handicap chase.

Imperial Alcazar: victory gave Fergal O'Bien his 100th winner of the seasonCredit: Grossick Racing

The eight-year-old was taking a significant step forward after finishing runner-up on his two starts this season, setting up a tilt at the Paddy Power Plate at the Cheltenham Festival for which he was cut to 10-1 (from 16).

O’Brien said: ”To get my 100th here at this time of year already with so much of the season ahead of us is just phenomenal. Last season we got into the nervous nineties and it was almost a relief when we did get there rather than a joy. But this has just been fantastic.”

He could take on Torn And Frayed at the Cheltenham Festival, with the Plate among possible targets for the 2m4½f handicap chase winner.

Career highlight

Mitchell Bastyan punched the air as he rode out his claim in style on talented prospect Mullenbeg in the Listed Alan Swinbank mares’ bumper.

The Milton Harris-trained five-year-old quickened impressively in the final stages to win by five and a half lengths.

Results, replays and analysis

Saturday's race reports:

Chantry House provides JP McManus with 4,000th winner in Cotswold Chase

Paisley Park stuns Champ with 'special' comeback to land Cleeve hat-trick

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