Defi Du Seuil primed to continue winning streak in Triumph Hurdle

Defi Du Seuil puts his 100 per cent record on the line in the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.The Philip Hobbs-trained gelding has won all his five starts over jumps this season, three of which have come at the home of National Hunt racing.Also the winner of the Grade One Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow over Christmas, Defi Du Seuil is the one to beat having got the best form in the book.He is one of three horses carrying the JP McManus colours, with Charli Parcs and Landofhopeandglory giving the owner a powerful presence."You couldn't have asked for a better run with him. He's done everything asked for him and we couldn't be happier with him," said McManus' racing manager Frank Berry."He's very consistent and Philip is delighted with him."The Triumph is hard to win, but he goes there in good nick.We just hope he gets a clear run and that all goes well." Berry is hoping Charli Parcs can live up to his trainer Nicky Henderson's expectations, having come a cropper at Kempton on his latest start."Nicky has always thought a lot of him and he won easily the first day," said Berry."You'd have to say he was being a bit disappointing the last day at Kempton. He looked to be in a bit of trouble, but Barry (Geraghty) thought he was going to stay on."He's been in good form since the race and he won't mind the ground drying out a bit. It's hard to know, but we'll be hoping for a good run."Henderson remains confident about the prospects of Charli Parcs, despite the horse losing his unbeaten record over hurdles with that fall in the Adonis Hurdle won by Master Blueyes."We don't know what would have happened at Kempton. I love this horse and I think he is very good. He got into a bit of a muddle down the back at Kempton," said the Seven Barrows trainer."It is only the third hurdle race he has ever had. Noel (Fehily) said the first time he rode him for a moment he thought 'I'm on this machine but I'm not travelling like one', but just for a few strides."He pulled him out turning into the straight and he disappeared. It was electric and that is what we were expecting."I was expecting more of the same in the Adonis. It was concerning he didn't travel well down the back straight, but a gap appeared and I do believe he just grabbed hold of the bridle and suddenly he had taken off. The turbo kicked in and he just lost concentration a little bit and he certainly was racing."He is quite inexperienced. He has been very good and his schooling is fantastic. The fall never worried him and he has schooled two or three times since. Noel schooled him on Friday."I think he is hugely talented. Whereas Defi Du Seuil might be better on soft ground, I'll admit that Charli Parcs is probably better on good ground." Henderson is also represented by the former Mark Johnston-trained Solider In Action, who got off the mark over timber at the second attempt at Doncaster last month, as he seeks a seventh Triumph success. Master Blueyes' trainer Alan King is also hoping there is no deterioration in conditions and he, too, is bullish about his horse's chances."I was so impressed with Master Blueyes in the Adonis Hurdle at Kempton, and, though Nicky feels that Charlie Parcs would have beaten us had he not fallen, I fear he needs his eyesight tested!" the Barbury Castle handler told www.alankingracing.co.uk."That Ludlow win for Master Blueyes gave him a lot of confidence, and he came out of the Kempton race very well."King would not mind a bit of rain for his other runner Coeur De Lion, who has been a model of consistency with two wins and two second places from four starts over hurdles."The better the ground, the better his chance so I hope the rain does not arrive until later in the afternoon, as they are forecasting, though Coeur De Lion would not mind if the ground did ease as it would put the emphasis on stamina and he gets the trip really well," said King.Gordon Elliott is happy with Mega Fortune, who defeated the Willie Mullins-trained Bapaume to land the Grade One Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown five weeks ago."He's won a Grade One and has the form in the book. You can say what they are, but you can't beat having the form in the book," said Elliott."I'd say cheekpieces and being ridden a bit more positively will make more difference than the ground."He wouldn't pick up the bridle at home, he's like an old three-mile chaser. You wouldn't think he's a Flat-bred horse at all."The in-form County Meath handler has a second string to his bow in Dinaria Des Obeaux, who was awarded her latest race in the stewards' room after being beaten a nose by Ex Patriot at Fairyhouse. Ellmarie Holden's charge is also among the 16 declarations.Joseph O'Brien supervised the victory of his father's Ivanovich Gorbatov 12 months ago and is responsible for Landofhopeandglory, who was third behind Dinaria Des Obeaux in that controversial race."Landofhopeandglory would have an each-way chance, he has been running very well all year and there's no reason he can't be in the first three," said the rookie trainer.Berry added: "He's been very good at home and his runs are very solid with the Irish horses."He had a bit of a break after Christmas and came back and ran very well in deep ground at Fairyhouse. This better ground will suit him. Whether he's good enough or not after that, we will see."Evan Williams believes Evening Hush warrants a place in this line-up, having finished second behind Defi Du Seuil and Master Blueyes on her last two starts after winning in good style at both Exeter and Aintree."We've decided to run her in the Triumph as opposed to the mares' novice because we think she deserves a chance," said the Llancarfan trainer."She's done nothing wrong all year. She ran a grand race last time and I think she deserves to run in the Grade One."