The betting for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham is dominated by the Kahyasi duo Kasbah Bliss and Afsoun with Mister Hight and Detroit City completing the leading quartet. St. Patrick's Day, 17th March sees the Francois Doumen trained Kasbah Bliss line up against Afsoun from Nicky Henderson's stable for the 2 mile 1 furlong contest that kicks off Friday's card.

Out of the Darshaan mare Afragha, Afsoun won his last outing at Huntingdon. Having shown decent form as a 3 year old under Alain de Royer Dupré's tutelage, his transfer to England saw him finish runner up to Fair Along in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham last November, leaving Kasbah Bliss to finish third.

Kasbah Bliss, a Grade 2 winner at Sandown last time out, has not been out of the first 3 in his 5 starts over fences and comes into the Festival in top form.

Kahyasi had another Listed winner today at Sandown with Karello Bay, a 5 year old out of the Supreme Leader mare Caramello bred by the Chuggs, who took the Doncaster Bloodstock Sales sponsored Open NH Race Flat Final worth over £14 000 to the winner.

Updated 11/03/2006