Topping the ante-post betting markets for the Triumph Hurdle for some time now has been the Willie Mullins-trained Lossiemouth, but when she could only finish second to stablemate Gala Marceau at the recent Dublin Racing Festival, her price took a nosedive from being a confident 11/10 shot to a more cautious 7/4 chance on our Cheltenham betting odds.
However, she still maintains favouritism and punters are still keen to back her.
Many analysts claim that she would have still been unbeaten over hurdles had it not been for some rather substantial interference in the run in that Leopardstown contest.
Bar for having another stroke of bad luck at The Festival she holds a favourite’s chance in the Triumph.
👀 Gala Marceau gets revenge on Lossiemouth
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 4, 2023
The G1 Donohue Marquees Spring Juvenile Hurdle sees Gala Marceau lead home a @WillieMullinsNH 1-2-3, with hot favourite Lossiemouth losing her unbeaten record#DublinRacingFestival | @LeopardstownRC | @dan2231 pic.twitter.com/kG4iMKmoNS
Lossiemouth’s stablemate Gala Marceau was unbeaten in her two starts over in France before losing out to her on her first run for Willie Mullins in a Grade 2 at Leopardstown.
Considering it was her first competitive contest away from France it was a decent showing, and she exacted her revenge in the DRF contest. We make Gala Marceau a 4/1 poke to repeat the feat in March’s main event.
A Gallic theme certainly runs through the Triumph Hurdle betting this season because the well fancied Blood Destiny (3/1) is yet another French recruit for the Willie Mullins stable.
The gelding impressed with his jumping prowess at Cork in December before he bolted up by a massive 18 lengths at Fairyhouse last month. Clock watchers tell us that run was very fast so he has to be worth a look in the betting.
👀 Very nice performance
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) January 14, 2023
Blood Destiny readily remains unbeaten over timber with a stylish effort for @PTownend & @WillieMullinsNH in the opener at @Fairyhouse pic.twitter.com/JT7elwRsQh
The Joseph O'Brien-trained Comfort Zone successfully came over to Britain and scooped the Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow then added yet another Grade Two to his tally when beating Milton Harris' Scriptwriter at Cheltenham.
Currently trading at 10/1 in our betting, this JP McManus-owned horse clearly sets the standard here.
Scriptwriter’s owners are relishing returning to Cheltenham for the Triumph and believe that under different circumstances they would beat Comfort Zone.
Paddy Brennan admitted he made somewhat of a gaff last time and he will ride an entirely different race now. He could well place but I cannot really see him wining it.
🥊 Comfort Zone vs Scriptwriter - some way to start Festival Trials Day
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) January 28, 2023
The Irish raider backs up his Finale Juvenile Hurdle victory with glory in the G2 Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle 👀 @JJONeillJnr | @JosephOBrien2 | @CheltenhamRaces pic.twitter.com/eQ1L3xrxuu
Scottish Triumph Hurdle victor Afadil could well be the long priced each-way outsider that you’ve been looking for all Festival.
Trained by Paul Nicholls, the Musselburgh scorer probably still has a lot more to offer yet and can go well for the “home team”.
Nicholls wrote in his bookmaker sponsored column this week that they wouldn’t go to the Fred Winter with him, but certainly down the Triumph route.
I think his current odds of 25/1 will be half that come race day if you are considering betting on horse races online.
Triumph Hurdle Tip
Despite many people saying she was fortunate to cash in, I personally don’t believe Gala Marceau’s victory over Lossiemouth was lucky and I will side with her to do it all over again in the Triumph Hurdle.
Suggested Triumph Hurdle bet: Gala Marceau @ 4/1
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*
