Teahupoo (Masked Marvel) wins the ‘Norman Colfer Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle’ (Grade III) impressively at Fairyhouse to maintain his unbeaten record.
Always handy under Robbie Power, riding in his role as retained jockey for owners Robcour, the 4-9 favourite never looked in any real danger, jumping and travelling strongly throughout before putting the race to bed decisively after the last.
After the race trainer Gordon Elliott said ”I thought it was a good performance again,” said Elliott.
“I liked the way when he jumped the second-last, he kind of idled a bit and pricked his ears. Robert said when he gave him a squeeze at the back of it he was gone again.
“He’s improving the whole time. Obviously he’s in everything at Cheltenham, the Fred Winter, the Supreme and the Triumph.
“I’ll have a chat with Brian (Acheson, of Robcour). We have Cheltenham or we could come back here for the Grade Two at Easter which is only two weeks later.
“It wouldn’t be the biggest shock in the world if he stayed at home and came back here. There is a lot of water to go under the bridge over the next couple of weeks.”
He added: “I’d say he’ll stay three miles, he’s a real stayer and he’s probably the type of horse you need for a Triumph Hurdle because he stays. He’s a nice horse.”
