Zeus Power

Zeus Power did really well to finish third in the Turners Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last time, and he could improve now for a step up to three miles in the Sefton Hurdle.

Joseph O’Brien’s horse didn’t have a lot of luck in the Turners.  He was back in the field early on, he was short of room at the third last flight, he had to make his ground from well back.  But he finished off his race strongly on the far side to get up for third place.

He was on a nice upward trajectory going into the Cheltenham race.  He had stayed on well to get up and beat Lazare De Star at Naas on his previous run.  He was allowed go off at 50/1 in the Turners Hurdle, but he proved that he was up to that class.

It is also interesting that Joseph O’Brien is running him in this race, when he had the option to run him over two and a half miles again instead.  He races like he will appreciate the step up in trip.

He is taking on horses from the Albert Bartlett, including the winner, Johnny’s Jury, whose stamina is obviously proven.  But only two Albert Bartlett Hurdle winners have won the Sefton since the inauguration of the former 21 years ago.  I think that Mondoui’Boy can reverse places with Johnny’s Jury, I thought that he did well to finish as close as he did in the Albert Bartlett, given that he raced up with the pace from early.  He did best of the prominent racers.

That said, I just think that the Turners was a much better race, the form is stronger.  Talk To The Man comes into it, as does Dalston Lad, but, if Zeus Power can stay the trip, I think that he is the most likely winner of the race by a fair way.

It is a pity that No Drama This End has come out of the race, I thought that he was vulnerable and he was taking out a significant percentage of the market.  Even so, even at the shortened price, Zeus Power is still a bet.