Fortune too strong for Juvenile rivals Mega Fortune produced a power packed front-running performance to land the spoils in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown. Davy Russell forced the pace on the 9/2 shot and he was joined by 7/4 favourite Bapaume three from home in the Grade One contest. The Gordon Elliott-trained gelding kicked for home turning into the straight in the two-miler and galloped on strongly in the closing stages to post a three-and-a-half length win. The Chris Jones-owned gelding was tried with cheekpieces again today having scored with the headgear on on the level. “We knew with a bit of ease in the ground and the cheekpieces today it was going to be a different story,” said Elliott. “We said we were going to make plenty of use of him today and make them work. Thankfully it worked out great. “We’ll go to the Triumph Hurdle now, that’s the plan. “Cheltenham will suit him. He has actually proved he can go on a bit nicer ground and we know he stays - you have to stay to win a Triumph Hurdle. “The cheekpieces on him made a big difference. You can see there today he was travelling the whole way whereas the last couple of runs he was behind the bridle.” Russell added:- “He’s strengthening up into a nice horse. “The ground here at Leopardstown has been good for the last few meetings and the softer conditions helped. “The cheekpieces also helped although he still idled plenty in front and kept plenty to himself. “The outside track in Cheltenham for the Triumph should suit and he should get a good strong end to end gallop there that he needs.” Boylesports made the winner 7/1 from 16/1 for the Triumph Hurdle while Betfair go the same price from 20/1. Ladbrokes are 10/1 from 20/1.
