'He's a proper one' - Hello Neighbour cut to 9-2 for Triumph Hurdle after extending unbeaten record

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Hello Neighbour extended his unbeaten record to four with a pleasing display in the Grade 1 Juvenile Hurdle and was cut to 9-2 (from 5s) by Paddy Power for the Triumph Hurdle at next month's Cheltenham Festival.

It was a race run at a steady tempo with most of the field racing keenly as a result, including the winner under Keith Donoghue. No horse travelled better than Hello Neighbour once the pace lifted and when he hit the front he always looked like holding the opposition.

He was doing only enough to see off Lady Vega Allen, with the short-head that separated them here at Christmas extended to a length and a half this time.

Lightly raced and improving are positive attributes for the Triumph and Gavin Cromwell's four-year-old is now a viable opponent to the strong home team, headed by Nicky Henderson's Lulamba. This was Cromwell's first domestic Grade 1 winner since Flooring Porter landed the Christmas Hurdle in 2020. 

video courtesy of www.racingtv.com

The trainer said: "He's a proper one. We've brought him along along slowly. He's answered every call and hopefully he can improve again. We have always liked him. We put the hood on him and he was still a little bit keen but I think he'll learn every day.

"He's straightforward but he just wants to get on with it. He'll go straight to the Triumph Hurdle now. The British horses look very good and we don't know how they will match up until they meet. They went steady today and it wasn't ideal, but I would think the stronger gallop of a Triumph Hurdle will suit him."

Perceval continues Leopardstown love affair

Cromwell completed an early double when his money-spinning, big handicap stalwart Perceval Legallois landed his second big pot this season in the Listed €100,000 handicap hurdle.

He was reverting to hurdles off a 7lb lower mark than over fences, having arrived after winning the Paddy Power Chase here at Christmas, but it was also his second win in this race. 

His unlucky fall at the last when looking likely to win last year's Leopardstown Chase had previously shown what a standing dish he has been in big Leopardstown handicaps.

Cromwell said: "You wouldn't think he'd been running over fences, he was very nimble over hurdles. I thought coming here he's a better chaser than he is a hurdler, but he was good there. He's in the Grand National, so we'll have to consider it."

Meade back in step

Noel Meade can still get it done on the big day, and he got a good kick from the stylish victory of the classy Colcannon in the Grade 2 bumper. The slow gallop suited this gelding, allowing him to use his considerable finishing kick, and rider Derek O'Connor delivered him as late as he dared.

Meade said: “The whole intention after he won his bumper was to go jumping with him, but the schooling just wasn’t going the way I wanted it to go.

"Unfortunately, he’s not qualified for Cheltenham, but I think he’s okay for Punchestown, so we’ll probably plan for that. If there is something in between, at Fairyhouse, we’ll see.”

JCB Triumph Hurdle (Cheltenham, March 14)
Paddy Power: 6-4 Lulamba, 11-4 East India Dock, 9-2 Hello Neighbour, 10 Lady Vega Allen, 12 Palladium, 16 Sainte Lucie, Galileo Dame, Mondo Man, Charlus, Louis Veron, Legionnaire Forez, 20 bar.

Read more:

'I couldn't believe the roar' - crowd goes wild as chasing great Galopin Des Champs impresses with third Irish Gold Cup win 

Majborough cements position as Ireland's leading Arkle hope with a 'fantastic' display under Mark Walsh 

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