Precious Man
Precious Man put up a good performance to finish second in the Triumph Hurdle Trial at Cheltenham on Saturday. Settled at the back of the field early on by Harry Skelton, he was keener than ideal through the early part of the race. Still keen as they raced to the top of the hill, he wasn't great at the third last flight, and he was crowded out of it a little at the second last, but he still moved easily into second place behind One Horse Town on the run to the home turn. He closed on the leader on the run to the last, and he looked a big danger, but there was always a chance that his early exertions would take their toll. He wasn't great at the final flight, but nor was the winner and, actually, One Horse Town came away from his rival on the run up the hill to the winning line.
Nevertheless, it was a nice performance by Dan Skelton's horse on his first run in Britain and his first run since he won a three-year-olds' hurdle at Auteuil in August for Daniela Mele. A half-brother to Crystal Cliffs, who dead-heated for first place in a Grade 2 contest over a mile at Woodbine, and out of a mare who won over distances from five furlongs to a mile, he should be able to progress from this run. He could improve considerably for it, and he could improve again if and when he learns to settle better as he gains experience. This race was won last year by East India Dock, who went on to win the Grade 2 Triumph Hurdle Trial back at Cheltenham in January, and to finish third in the Triumph Hurdle, and Precious Man could still take a high rank among this season's juvenile hurdlers.
Cheltenham, 15th November 2025
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