Triumph favourite Lounaos likely to head to Cheltenham without another run

LOUNAOS, 5-1 favourite with Paddy Power for the JCB Triumph Hurdle, is likely to head to Cheltenham without another run.

Eoin Griffin’s four-year-old filly finished fourth in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle last weekend on what was only her third run over timber.

She chased home the cream of the two-mile hurdling division, finishing behind Hardy Eustace, Brave Inca and Macs Joy – the first three home in the Champion Hurdle last year – and Griffin believes she ran up to his expectations.