Tolworth Hurdle Preview

First run in 1976, the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle has produced the platform for future superstars to showcase their abilities, stamping their name a step closer to superstar territory.

The race has seen its fair share of historic winners, with the famous Desert Orchid taking the prize in its 1984 renewal. More recently however, it has been Nicky Henderson taking a stronghold on the race, winning 5 of the last 12 renewals, including this seasons Champion Hurdle odds on favourite Constitution Hill, who was last year’s winner of the Tolworth Hurdle.

Here is a run-down of each runner in this year’s exciting Tolworth Hurdle

Authorised Speed

The Gary Moore trained son of Authorized is two out of two since making the step up to hurdles. He produced an impressive 15 lengths maiden hurdle victory in November, and a subsequent equally impressive 6 ½ length victory in the opener at Sandown on Tingle Creek Day.

He was last year’s 5th in the Champion Bumper, and has clearly progressed with the addition of obstacles, making him a worthy favourite for this year’s renewal of the Tolworth.

Tahmuras

Champion Trainer Paul Nicholls’ only runner in the field is the yet to be beaten over hurdles Tahmuras.

The 6-year-old running in the colours of the Noel Fehily Racing Syndicate has been beaten just once under rules, where he was second behind Tolworth rival L’Astroboy in a Maiden National Hunt flat race on what was his first start in the UK.

He has more than impressed over hurdles, making a winning start when going 8 lengths clear on hurdling debut. He then went on to win the listed Newton Novices’ Hurdle at Haydock, more than stamping his claim into contention for this race on Saturday.

Artic Bresil

Trained by Henry De Bromhead, Artic Bresil was unable to break his maiden in point to points, unseating on debut, and finishing second in his final run of two.

He was a ready winner on his Hurdling debut, which is his only start under rules as of yet, scoring by 5 ½ lengths in a strong looking big field maiden, beating the well fancied Willie Mullins trained Mercurey, who ran on into second.

It is a steep step up in grade for this 6-year-old son of Blue Bresil (Who is also the Sire of Champion Hurdle odds on shot Constitution Hill), but it is most definitely one merited by his performance last time out.

L’Astroboy

The unbeaten L’Astroboy heavily impressed on debut last February, beating Tolworth Hurdle rival Tahmuras by a neck at a huge price of 25/1.

He was a much shorter price when making his debut over hurdles however, scoring by just over 3 lengths in testing ground at Ffos Las in November, his only start over hurdles to date. He is bidding to make it two out of two over obstacles in what is the first Grade 1 of the calendar Year.

Nemean Lion

The Kerry Lee trained son of Golden Horn, Nemean Lion, was first owned by Godolphin, and campaigned on the flat in France with Andre Fabre. In this time, he was a winner of the Prix du lac Handicap at Longchamp, as well as runner up in the Group 2 Qatar Prix Chaudenay.

Following a 748-day break, he made his long-awaited racecourse return, where he finished fifth of five in a 1m 61/2f contest at Doncaster.

Shortly after however, he made the switch to jumping, which began with him winning in a maiden Hurdle at Hereford in impressive style, before stepping up in grade, running in the Class 2 Introductory Hurdle at Haydock, where he finished second behind the Fergal O’Brien trained Hullnback.

Blow Your Wad

He was unable to break his maiden in his three Bumper starts, however, this is not to be overlooked, for he was beaten by the Nicky Henderson trained Luccia on debut, Tolworth Hurdle rival Tahmuras in his second start, and was a respectable 4th of 18 when running in the Grade 2 National Hunt Flat Race at Aintree’s Grand National meeting last April.

He was second on hurdling debut last October, but deservedly got his head in front when winning by a length at Kempton a month later, finally adding a 1st to his record of strong form.

Colonel Harry

He was second on his rules debut last October for trainer Jamie Snowdon. However, he performed far better a month later when winning in an 11-runner maiden Hurdle at Sandown.

He would however, require another strong step up from this performance to be competitive in this field on Saturday.

Ukantango

The Olly Murphy trained Ukantango is a winner on 3 occasions under rules out of his 4 starts, winning both his Novice Hurdle runs in fine fashion, before stepping up in Grade when finishing second behind Fennor Cross in the Grade 2 Supreme Trial Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham on day 3 of the November Meeting.

That is his only defeat over hurdles making him an interesting contender at a big price for this year’s exciting renewal of the Tolworth.