Triumph fancies Sir Erec and Tiger Tap Tap clash again in Grade 1 showdown

1.15 Leopardstown
Tattersalls Ireland Spring Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) | 2m | 4yo | RTV/RTE2

Will Erec remain unbeaten over hurdles?

Given Sir Erec and Tiger Tap Tap have each run only once over hurdles they can hardly be called old rivals, but their rematch in the opening Grade 1 on day two of the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown is one to anticipate with relish.

Both were smart performers on the Flat, particularly Sir Erec, who signed off as a Ballydoyle resident by finishing a fine third to superstar stayer Stradivarius at Ascot on British Champions Day.

Such a strong effort on only his fifth Flat start was enough to mark down the son of Camelot as a potential Cup contender for 2019. Instead he has moved from Aidan to Joseph O'Brien and into the silks of JP McManus, for whom he came home a neck in front in a 28-runner juveniles' event at Leopardstown's Christmas festival.

Sir Erec was a smart performer on the Flat for Aidan O'Brien, as he showed when winning at Limerick in OctoberCredit: Caroline Norris

Now he moves straight into Grade 1 company having lost JCB Triumph Hurdle favouritism – he can backed at 7-1 – to stablemate Fakir D'Oudairies, a striking winner at Cheltenham last weekend.

Two more teammates, Gardens Of Babylon and Filon D'Oudairies, also make the trip to Leopardstown. Mark Walsh keeps the ride on Sir Erec, leaving McManus's retained jockey Barry Geraghty to partner Gardens Of Babylon.

O'Brien said: "We'd hope to see improvement from what was Sir Erec's first run over hurdles and we think he's come forward, but he will need to have done.

"Gardens Of Babylon was just beaten last time by Surin but is a bit better off at the weights this time. Filon D'Oudairies was very keen when he ran over Christmas and now needs to settle better."

Can Tap take revenge?

Tiger Tap Tap is a maiden over hurdles with a single jumps outing to his name but, such was the appeal of his Leopardstown debut, he is third favourite for the Triumph Hurdle at a best-priced 9-1.

That second to Sir Erec was a first outing for Ruby Walsh's mount since a Flat success at Compiegne in June. That suggests progress can be expected and Willie Mullins - who also saddles Auteuil third Lamarckise - predicts we will see it.

Mullins said: "Tiger Tap Tap ran a cracking race on his hurdling debut at Christmas when losing out by a neck to Sir Erec. While he again faces that rival, we think our horse has improved and he should run a big race."

He added: "Lamarckise finished third in France on her only previous start over hurdles. She's a fine, big filly and one who should improve with experience."

What the rest say

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Chief Justice, Coeur Sublime and Surin
Chief Justice has no penalties to contend with this time. He doesn't show a lot at home but has been very consistent and should be thereabouts, although he might find one or two too good. Coeur Sublime was disputing the lead when he fell at the last in a Grade 2 at Christmas. He's in good order but would prefer easier ground. Surin is a nice filly. She doesn't show a lot at home but is improving all the time.

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Got Trumped
He ran well at Leopardstown last time but blew up on that occasion. He has been good since then. He had only two runs on the Flat so he doesn't have a lot of experience and I think he's still improving.

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