East India Dock produced a dominant front-running display to maintain his unbeaten record over obstacles in the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle at Cheltenham.
The high-class Flat performer made a fine start to his jumping career at Wincanton in October and having followed up at Cheltenham in November, he returned to the Cotswolds as the 1-2 favourite to complete his hat-trick in the hands of Sam Twiston-Davies.
Sent straight to the lead, James Owen’s charge jumped nimbly throughout and only French raider Stencil was able to go with him from the home turn.
Was it ever in doubt?
East India Dock wins the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle at a canter 👏#ITVRacing | @CheltenhamRaces | @samtwiston pic.twitter.com/ml6ojFgbFq
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) January 25, 2025
But East India Dock soon stamped his authority on the contest on the run to the final flight and flicked through it to put the seal on comprehensive 10-length victory in the colours of the Gredley family.
Bookmakers were suitable impressed, with Paddy Power trimming the winner’s odds for the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival to 3-1 from 6-1, while Coral offer a slightly more generous 7-2. Both firms make Nicky Henderson’s Ascot scorer Lulamba their 6-4 favourite.