Cheltenham Festival 2017 – Defi Du Seuil lands the Triumph Hurdle for Richard Johnson and Philip Hobbs
Always travelling the best, Defi Du Seuil sprinted clear of his rivals up the straight to record an impressive success for jockey Richard Johnson and trainer Philip Hobbs
DEFI DU SEUIL took his 100 per cent record over jumps to six with an impressive victory in the Triumph Hurdle.
Champion jockey Richard Johnson always looked happy on the Philip Hobbs-trained gelding as Mega Fortune, Dinaria Des Obeaux and Evening Hush cut out the running.
Defi Du Seuil, wearing the first colours of owner JP McManus, cruised through to challenge at the second-last flight and was switched nearer to the stands rail.
The 5-2 favourite soon took command and pulled clear on the run-in to score by five lengths from Mega Fortune, who held Bapaume by a short head for second.
Johnson said: "I was a passenger all the way to be honest, he travelled and jumped.
"At Christmas he shocked me how much speed he had and on the better ground some people thought that was a negative.
"He's just improved all year and I can't believe he's the same horse I rode at Ffos Las four or five months ago.
"All credit to Philip, he's handled him brilliantly all year.
"He travelled so well and I was just trying not to get there too soon.
"I spoke to Barry (Geraghty), who would have ridden him, and it must be very hard for him watching, but he told me exactly how to ride him.
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"It's hard for juveniles to make the jump to the Champion Hurdle, but he's not a typical juvenile as he's not an ex-Flat horse."
Hobbs said: "That's fantastic, he couldn't have won any better.
"It's a big relief as he's been favourite all year - it's great when it goes right.
"He travelled so well, we were so lucky to get him.
"He could go Champion Hurdle or Arkle next year, we'll have to see."
Hobbs went on: "He always jumps well. There was one or two little hiccups at Chepstow when he won. Because he had never run on good ground there was a bit of a concern, but there was no reason why he shouldn't have handled it.
"He has run six times and has won them all very easily, so I don't know whether that was a career best. We've not schooled him over fences, but he will be mustard over them.
"We shouldn't get too bullish, too early. He has a fantastic attitude is very sound and has got fantastic ability.
"He is tough as old boots. The difference with Rooster Booster (Hobbs' Champion Hurdle winner) is that he never really jumped fences. This horse has always jumped well and there is no reason he won't jump fences at all.
"When you have a horse that keeps on winning, when they are beat the bubble is burst and because he is unbeaten for us we don't know how good he might be.
"We've taken another big step up today."