1.30 JCB TRIUMPH HURDLE (GRADE 1). 2m. 179yds.

A cracking contest to start the final day of the Festival. Gordon Elliott runs two top class juveniles in Fil Dor and Pied Piper. We must respect the fact that Davy Russell has opted to ride the former but the manner of Pied Piper’s win here in January is hard to forget and this horse is proven on very soft ground. Willie Mullins saddles three, with jockey Paul Townend opting for Leopardstown Grade 1 winner Vauban. Stable companion It Etait Temps (third at Leopardstown) is likely to improve a lot and, on breeding, should handle soft ground well. Best of the British looks to be Porticello, for whom the ground has come right, but the Irish look a cut above the home crew.