Triumph Hurdle – Alaivan to shine?

I have to say I was impressed with Alaivan’s 17 lengths’ win on Saturday.

Held up on this occasion rather than making it when appearing to run too freely when easily beaten by Carlito Brigante at Leopardstown, I did feel he benefited from an overly-strong pace up front but he did look classy, as he should being rated 109 on the Flat which makes him by far the best Flat horse in this season’s Triumph Hurdle.

Me Voici was the top rated juvenile in training rated 140 before winning the Victor Ludorum Hurdle at the weekend but whether he runs will depend on the ground.

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Originally ruled out of the Triumph after winning the Grade 1 at Chepstow on Welsh National day, there had been rumblings he may turn up at Cheltenham but connections argued after his easy Haydock win that he is still a big weak horse with a high knee action so is it a sensible thing to muck him up on faster ground for one race when he has his whole future in front of him?

It would have be soft ground for them to even consider a crack and that hasn’t been the case on the final day at the Festival for a long time.

Olofi has been confirmed for this race rather than the Fred Winter which strikes me as bonkers as he is plainly not ready for the Triumph at this stage of his career.