Horse Racing

Cheltenham Festival 2022: Friday's Triumph Hurdle tips - Vauban a very good pick for Willie Mullins

Jonathan Doidgejon doidge17 March 2022
Vauban and Paul Townend on their way to winning the Spring Juvenile Hurdle

Vauban and Paul Townend on their way to winning the Spring Juvenile Hurdle

The JCB Triumph Hurdle starts the final day of the Cheltenham Festival off with a bang and Planet Sport's expert panel have assembled to dig into the race. Vauban could take some stopping.

We're really getting stuck into the Cheltenham Festival now so watch the Racing Post's David Carr, former Cheltenham Festival winning rider Dominic Elsworth and Planet Sport's tipster Jonathan Doidge mull over the JCB Triumph Hurdle.
The Grade 1 race is the first race on day four at Cheltenham and goes off at 13:30 and you can follow the action in our live race centre.
Flamboyant owner Rich Ricci doesn't quite have the quality string of years gone by but his Vauban looks a good chance to carry the pink and green silks to victory.

Gordon Elliott is throwing a pair of horses at the race in the form of Pied Piper and Fil Dor to try and build to a crescendo.

Meanwhile, Gary Moore's Porticello and Dan Skelton's Doctor Parnassus look Team GB's best options.

Here's who Planet Sport's expert panel see as coming out on top in the Triumph.

Fil Dor - David Carr (Racing Post)

"I think Vauban is going to start a short price here having won really well at Leopardstown but that was a test of speed, he's a potential star flat horse so that's bound to have suited him.

"The runner-up Fil Dor is a stayer and that's what you need in this race and I think Fil Dor could beat the favourite this time."

Pied Piper - Dominic Elsworth (Cheltenham Festival winning jockey)

"He's very well bred, John Gosden trained, John Gosden horse, he's done nothing wrong. I like the way he's jumped, I like the way he's ran to the line each time. Trip is right up is street and the New Course will definitely play to his strengths."

Vauban - Jonathan Doidge (Planet Sport tipster)

"I think Vauban has got a very very serious chance and he's one of the better Mullins picks of the week for me.

"Classy horse, I think they are aiming him for the Ebor, the Melbourne Cup longer term and if he's going to be competitive in races like that then he's going to be beating Pied Piper, Fil Dor or whatever else turns up to take him on in the Triumph Hurdle, so Vauban for me."

    Related News