Big-Race Perspective: John Smith’s Scottish Triumph Hurdle
Timeform share their views on the Scottish Triumph Hurdle which took place at Musselburgh on Sunday and evaluate the future prospects of interesting Cheltenham Triumph Hurdle outsider Carlito Brigante.
“Carlito Brigante’s progress wasn’t so marked this time, but it’s clearly hard to crab him overall, making it three from three since his hurdling debut and leaving the impression he’s got even more improvement in him”
The proximity of the third/fourth suggests caution with this form but the time, faster than the later handicap at the trip after the pace in this had been four seconds quicker to the fourth, clearly says otherwise, the improving Carlito Brigante worth crediting with a better-than-standard performance for this race.
Carlito Brigante’s progress wasn’t so marked this time, but it’s clearly hard to crab him overall, making it three from three since his hurdling debut and leaving the impression he’s got even more improvement in him, cutting down the enterprisingly-ridden leader two out without needing to show his all, going clear anyway when that one hit the last; the way he’s going suggests he could be in the mix for the Triumph, though whether the stiffer test of stamina in that is likely to be in his favour has to be a doubt.
Ultimate possibly did a little more than ideal in front, going a fair bit faster to the fourth than the leader in the later handicap at the trip, though clearly the more obvious explanation is he was beaten by a superior juvenile, having enough left to reopen a three-length lead before the third last and second best when fluffing the last; that said, he may still improve, yet to face good ground since his hurdling debut.
Orsippus seemed to raise his game markedly in the face of an unrealistic task, though at no stage did he threaten, closing up again only late having been ridden after a slow leap at the sixth, possibly flattered; his Flat record hardly inspires confidence he’ll back this up, either.
Melange seemed to show he’s a better hurdler than he ever was Flat performer, though there must be a chance he isn’t worth as much as this appears, left behind turning in.
