JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Last of six in a 1m4f French Flat maiden in August, but second of 18 in newcomers hurdle race at Auteuil (2m2f, very soft) in September when beaten 6l by Proactif who is now his stablemate; jumped in green fashion that day but passed seven of his rivals in the home straight; could be a big improver but a bit more experience would have been preferable.

Placed only once from 12 starts on the Flat, showing fair form at best; big odds for his three races in the mud over hurdles, appearing to show his best form when fourth of five in Listed race at Naas last time, but that 15l defeat does not suggest any threat to today's principals.

1m6f Listed winner on Flat who was sold for 600,000gns later in October; flopped at long odds-on for hurdling debut at Musselburgh last month; brought out just six days later for Grade 2 at Kempton (again good to soft) where he did better, but was weakening when hampered two out; should get the hang of this discipline in due course, but probably too late to feature in this finish.

102,000euros 2yo; half-brother to two French Flat winners; dam French 1m5f winner, half-sister to French Group 1 winners Full Of Gold (1m2f) and Fuisse (1m); favourite for newcomers hurdle race at Auteuil (2m2f, very soft) in October, but in rear at halfway before plugging on into fourth of 14 to Macho Man; needs much better than that display but he's joined Mullins.

Promise in his two Irish Flat maidens; justified favouritism in juvenile hurdles at Catterick (good) and Wetherby (soft) and a seven-runner handicap against older horses at Sedgefield (good to soft); won latest with more authority than 2l margin suggests, but this race is a vastly harder task; failed to make the cut for the 4yo handicap here on Tuesday.