Local Hero to face 'acid test' of Triumph credentials

Steve Gollings: admits Saturday's race is the 'acid test' for Local Hero

  PICTURE: Martin Lynch  Unbeaten Local Hero to test Triumph credentials By Paul Eacott 2:02PM 25 JAN 2011 TRAINER Steve Gollings is hoping that unbeaten juvenile hurdler Local Hero will put up another bold show in the Grade 2 JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial at Cheltenham on Saturday.

RELATED LINKS Triumph Hurdlebetting Free bets  Local Hero was lightly-raced on the Flat, breaking his maiden at the third attempt in November, but he has won both his starts over hurdles with ease, each time under Tony McCoy.

Gollings said: "The plan is for Local Hero to go to Cheltenham on Saturday for the JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial. He's still very green but he'sprogressing really well.

"His two races have been won extremely easily and, although we know he has a real engine, we just need to know how good that engine is. I think Saturday's race should give us all the answers we need - it's a bit of an acid test for us.

"He has progressed from race to race and I am 100 per cent sure that we have not seen the best of Local Hero, by far.

"He can only win his races, and we can't criticise him because he has won his races very easily - Saturday will tell us an awful lot."

Local Hero is as short as 16-1 for the Triumph Hurdle with Ladbrokes and Gollings added: "He's in great form and AP