Elliott & O’Brien well represented in Triumph trial Gordon Elliott and Joseph O’Brien are responsible for six entries between them in this weekend’s JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle at Cheltenham. Chief Justice, Flat To The Max and Surin are Elliott’s possibles for Saturday — while O’Brien can choose from Band Of Outlaws, Fakir D’oudairies and Fine Brunello. The two top Irish trainers will face predictably significant home opposition — with the Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned pair of Torpillo and Adjali setting the standard among 16 entries. Paul Nicholls’ French import Dogon, the unbeaten pair of Fabianski and Nelson River and Alan King’s Our Power are others to consider. There should be plenty of Cheltenham Festival clues throughout the card — although the BetBright Trial Cotswold Chase was reopened on Monday. The Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle, a precursor for the event in March which carries the same name, has attracted 14 to Cheltenham this weekend — including Challow Hurdle winner Champ. Nicky Henderson has also entered Birchdale, who was a late absentee from the Leamington Spa at Warwick recently. Warren Greatrex’s unbeaten Emitom, Olly Murphy’s highly regarded Brewin’Upastorm and Fergal O’Brien’s Jarveys Plate add further strength in depth. Also entered is Dan Skelton’s Not That Fuisse, who will be stepping up in class after winning at Taunton last time out. “We will probably go there on Saturday, but I don’t know how he comes out on ratings,” said Skelton. “He looked good the other day, stepping up in trip. It is a big step up in grade again — but you have got to be brave this time of year. If you can find out now where you should be going, it makes spring a little bit easier.” Mick Channon’s impressive Kempton winner Glen Forsa looks the one to beat in the Timeform Novices’ Handicap Chase. The connections of Lough Derg Spirit, who finished behind him at Christmas, are happy to have another crack, though. “The form at Kempton keeps being franked — Glen Rocco (second) and Dell Oro (fourth) have both won since, so we’ll give it another try,” said Ryan Tongue, racing manager to owners Mike Grech and Stuart Parkin. Kildisart, Highway One O One, Movewiththetimes and War Sound are among 26 possibles.
