There has been a familiar âto me, to youâ pattern to the Triumph Hurdle since Tiger Roll won in 2014 as Ireland and England have traded top spot in the Festival juvenile contest ever since.
If that trend is to continue, the winner come 12 March will be trained in England and Saturdayâs Chepstow Finale winner Adagio is now at the front of the queue for the David Pipe team.
Pipeâs father Martin won the race twice, most recently in 1995 with Kissair, and the Pond House team have an improving sort on their hands.
His lone defeat in four starts over timber came at Cheltenham in November when second to Gordon Elliottâs Duffle Coat. The Irish trainer has the ante-post favourite Zanahiyr, a Grade 1 winner at Leopardstown over Christmas, but Pipe and Tom Scudamore will be feeling good about Adagio after the weekend.