Lounaos on Triumph trail
Lounaos, 5-1 favourite with Paddy Power for the JCB Triumph Hurdle, is likely to head to Cheltenham without another run.
Eoin Griffin’s four-year-old filly finished fourth in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle last weekend on what was only her third run over timber.
She chased home the cream of the two-mile hurdling division, finishing behind Hardy Eustace, Brave Inca and Macs Joy – the first three home in the Champion Hurdle last year – and Griffin believes she ran up to his expectations.
“It was a brilliant run from her. Realistically, we always knew it was going to be very difficult to beat those two (Hardy Eustace and Brave Inca) and Macs Joy,” said Griffin.
“Going into the race, the best I was hoping for was third place unless something untoward happened. We thought Macs Joy might not be as sharp as he actually was so fourth place was the best we could do, we were delighted with that.
“Throughout the race you wouldn’t have picked her out as the juvenile among them as she looked completely at ease. She jumped and travelled very well but just got tired.
“I know she had a big weight advantage (19lb) but her experience compared to them didn’t come close.
“She will go straight to Cheltenham now and Barry Geraghty will be back on board in the Triumph Hurdle,” he told At The Races.
