Sadler’s Risk new Triumph Hurdle favourite

The ante-post betting on the Triumph Hurdle was given a shake-up at the weekend when Sadler’s Risk made a hugely impressive debut at Kempton, eventually strolling home 17 lengths clear. Trainer Philip Hobbs had no doubt as to the quality of his new recruit from the flat and plans to give him at least one more run before his festival target. Jockey Richard Johnson was equally impressed and it was no surprise to see him cut sharply to 6-1 favourite for the Triumph.

The four-year-old gelding by Sadler’s Wells boasts some decent flat form for Mark Johnston including a short-head victory over subsequent Group One colt, Sea Moon at Leicester. He also ran a respectable fourth in the Chester Vase behind Irish Derby winner Treasure Beach and Diamond Stakes winner Nathaniel. If he converts that sort of form successfully to the jumps he is going to be a very exciting prospect.

Alan King has a fine record in the race and unleashed another prime contender when Grumeti won by 14 lengths at Taunton on December 30th. He is expected to reappear shortly and a further success might see his odds shorten from 10-1. Tom George is planning to run his exciting French import Baby Mix over course and distance at the Cheltenham trials meeting on 28th January. The horse has not been seen since slamming odds-on Hinterland in December and remains an 8-1 shot.

The Irish challenge for the juvenile crown also stepped up at the weekend with Ut De Sivola cut to 10-1 after a second victory from three starts. Ruby Walsh steered the Willie Mullins trained gelding to a victory at Punchestown but not without a moment of worry. Although he was sent off a 1-4 favourite he would have been given a battle had Hisaabaat (now 16-1 for the Triumph) not made a bad mistake at the last.

Another challenger from Ireland is Minsk, trained by Dessie Hughes. He has not been seen since an impressive victory in the Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh in October for John Oxx. The son of Dalakhani is quoted at 10-1 for the Triumph Hurdle, even though he is yet to jump a hurdle in public. He was officially rated at 93 on the flat whereas Sadler’s Risk was rated at 100. With several highly rated new recruits from the flat still to make their racecourse debut, there are likely to be further shake-ups in the ante-post market in the weeks ahead.