Peace And Co can pass Triumph Hurdle trial test

Peace And Co created a huge impression when scoring on debut for Nicky Henderson and can further enhance his Festival claims with success in the JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial at Cheltenham today (12.40).

The strapping son of Falco joined the Seven Barrows handler after winning on debut at Clairefontaine, and looked something out of the ordinary when strolling to a facile success in the Grade 2 Summit Novices’ Hurdle at Doncaster.

Peace And Co jumped superbly throughout the 2m contest, and after taking up the running at the fourth pulled clear on the bridle two from home to win by 19 lengths.
Jockey Daryl Jacob didn’t have to move a muscle, and Peace And Co won in the style of a horse with a massive engine.
It was one of the most stunning performances I have seen from a juvenile hurdler for a long, long time, and not surprisingly Peace And Co was all the rage for the Triumph Hurdle at the Festival on Friday, March 13th, as soon as he passed the post in splendid isolation.

The four-year-old is currently Coral’s clear 5/2 market leader for the juvenile showpiece, and it will be a major shock if he doesn’t confirm that position with success in this.

If Peace And Co fails to live up to expectations then Karezak looks the one most likely to take advantage.

The Alan King trained gelding overcame mistakes to make a winning debut over the obstacles at Chepstow when showing a good attitude to beat a useful sort in Golden Doyen by a head despite stumbling badly at the last.

Karezak the then lost little in defeat when shouldering a penalty fo that success and failing by just a 1/4 of a length to give 6lb to Old Guard at Newbury, and backed that up with a solid a 1 1/4 length runner-up to the highly regarded Hargam at this track.

The son of Azamour also posted a solid effort last time out at Chepstow when a six length runner-up to current Triumph Hurdle second favourite Bristol De Mai and is a consistent sort who looks sure to give it his best shot.
The other worthy of a mention is Peace And Co’s stable companion Bivouac.

The gelding was a French bumper winner who has shown a good attitude to land contests at Sandown and Kempton since joining Henderson and looks open to further progression.
However, he has took time to get going in both those successes and I will be surprised if he has the necessary speed to trouble Peace And Co.