Nicky Henderson will be looking for a hat-trick of Triumph Hurdle winners when he saddles ante-post favourite Grandouet for Friday's opener.
Having won the race with Zaynar and Soldatino in the last two years the Seven Barrows handler will hope his 7/1 shot can notch him a triumvirate of successes in the 2010 renewal. After a disappointing debut the four-year-old has improved run by run and bolted up when beating Two Kisses by six lengths at Ascot. However, he will have to reverse the form with Paul Nicholls' exciting Sam Winner.
The French-bred four-year-old was an emphatic winner of the Triumph Hurdle trial at Cheltenham in November when beating none other than Grandouet by 15 lengths. He was receiving weight from the Henderson runner but the way he accelerated away from them down the home straight was simply glorious and at 12/1 with most firms is the one to beat. He disappointed on his last run at Chepstow behind Marsh Warbler (14/1 various) but that was a falsely run race and this contest will be a thorough test that should suit.
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